THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


CYD   HAS   A  BAD  FIT.      Page  196. 


WATCH  AND  WAIT; 


ou. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES, 


for 


BY 


OLIVER    OPTIC, 


AUTHOR   OP   "THE   BOAT   CLUB."    "ALL  ABOARD,"    "NOW   OR   NEVER,"   "TKT 

AGAIN,"    "  POOR   AND   PROUD,"     '•  LITTLE   BY   LITTLE,"     "  RICH   AND 

HUMBLE,"    "  IX   SCHOOL   AND   OUT,"    "  THE   SOLDIER  BOY," 

"THE   K1VERDALE   STORY  BOOKS,"  ETC. 


BOSTON: 

^!Srr>       SHKT»A 

(SOCCESSORS   TO    PHILLIPS,    SAMPSON   &   CO.) 

1868. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1SR4,  by 

WILLIAM    T.   ADAMS, 
in  the  Clerk's  O*fice  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


EtECTROTYPED   AT    TIID 

BOSTON    STEFT^rTPE    FOUNDRY, 

4  Sprmp  Lane. 


TO 


WALTER  F.  POPE 


IS    AFFECTIONATELY    DEDICATED 


BY  HIS   UNCLE. 


724439 


THE  WOODVILLE  STORIES. 

IN  SIX  VOLUMES. 
LIBRARY    FOR    BOYS  AND    GIRl.S 

BY    OLIVER    OPTIC. 


1-    RICH    -A.3STID 

a.  i3sr  SCHOOL 

s.  -wATCJi 

4.  -W-OE.K: 

6.  KCOFEJ  ^VISTID  PIA.VB. 

e. 


PREFACE. 


HOWEVER  much  the  author  of  ';  WATCH  AND  WAIT  "  may 
sympathize  with  that  portion  of  the  population  of  our 
country  to  which  the  principal  characters  of  the  story 
belong,  he  is  forced  to  acknowledge  that  his  book  was  not 
written  in  the  interests  of  the  anti-slavery  cause.  His 
young  friends  require  stirring  incidents  of  him,  and  the 
inviting  field  of  adventure  presented  by  the  topic  he  has 
chosen  was  the  moving  spring  which  brought  the  work  into 
existence  ;  and  if  the  story  shall  kindle  any  new  emotion 
of  sympathy  for  the  oppressed  and  enslaved,  it  will  have 
more  than  answered  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  intended, 
and  the  writer  will  be  all  the  more  thankful  for  this  happy 
influence. 

As  a  story  of  exciting  adventure,  the  writer  hopes  it  will 

satisfy  all  his  young  readers  ;  that  they  will  love  the  gentle 

Lily,  respect  the  manly  independence  of  Dan,  and  smile  at 

the  oddities  of  Cyd ;  and  that  the  book  will  confirm  and 

1*  <*> 


6  PRKFACE. 

increase  their  love  of  liberty  and  their  hatred  of  tyranny. 
If  the  young  fugitives  were  resolute,  even  to  shedding  the 
blood  of  the  slave-hunter,  they  had  forgiving  and  Christian 
hearts,  in  which  there  was  neither  malice  nor  revenge; 
and  in  this  respect,  if  in  no  other,  they  are  worthy  exem 
plars  for  the  young  and  the.  old. 

With  this  explanation,  I  give  the  third  volume  of  the 
Woodville  Stories  into  the  hands  of  my  young  friends, 
bespeaking  for  it  the  same  favor  which  has  been  bestowed 
upon  its  predecessors. 

WILLIAM   T.  ADAMS. 

DORCHESTER,  August  15, 1864. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGS 

CHAP.  I.  —  The  Plantation  of  Redlawn It 

CHAP.  II.  —  The  Edith  goes  down  to  Green  Point.  .  .  21 
CHAP.  III.  —  Master  Archy  receives  an  Unlucky  Blow.  .  31 
CHAP.  IV.  —  Dandy  determines  to  "watch  and  wait."  .  .  41 
CHAP.  V.  —  The  Tragedy  at  the  "Dead  Oak."  ...  51 
CHAP.  YI.  —  A  Vision  of  the  Promised  Land.  .  .  .62 
CHAP.  VII.  —  The  Isabel  is  prepared  for  a  Cruise.  .  .  73 
CHAP.  VIII.  —  The  Departure  of  the  Young  Fugitives.  .  84 
CHAP.  IX.  —  The  Fugitives  reach  Lake  Chicot.  .  .  .95 

CHAP.  X.  —  Breakfast  on  board  the  Isabel 107 

CHAP.  XI.  —  The  Bay  of  the  Bloodhounds 117 

CHAP.  XII.  —  Quin,  the  Runaway 128 

CHAP.  XIII.  —  The  Night  Chase  on  the  Lake.       .        .        .139 

CHAP.  XIV.  —  The  Battle  for  Freedom 152 

CHAP.  XV. —  The  Fate  of  the  Slave-Hunters.       .        .        .164 

CHAP.  XVI.  —  In  the  Swamp 176 

(7) 


8  CONTENTS. 

MM 

CHAP.  XVII.  —  Cyd  has  a  Bad  Fit 187 

CHAP.  XVIII.  —  The  Affray  on  the  Lake 199 

CHAP.  XIX.  —  Lily  on  the  Watch 211 

CHAP.  XX.  —  Preparing  for  the  Voyage 220 

CHAP.  XXI.  —  Down  the  Lake 229 

CHAP.  XXII.  —  The  Isabel  runs  the  Gantlet.  .  .  .241 
CHAP.  XXIII.  —  Colonel  Raybone  changes  his  Tone.  .  .  252 
CHAP.  XXIV.  —  The  Young  Fugitives  make  a  Harbor.  .  264 


WATCH   AND    WAIT. 


WATCH  MD  WAIT; 

OR, 

THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES. 

CHAPTER   I. 

THE    PLANTATION     OF     REDLAWN. 

ONE  soft  summer  evening,  when  Woodville  was 
crowned  with  the  glory  and  beauty  of  the  joyous 
season,  three  strangers  presented  themselves  before 
the  Grant  family,  and  asked  for  counsel  and  assist 
ance.  The  party  consisted  of  two  boys  and  a 
girl,  and  they  belonged  to  that  people  which  the 
traditions  of  the  past  have  made  the  "  despised 
race  ; "  but  the  girl  was  whiter  and  fairer  than 
many  a  proud  belle  who  would  have  scorned  her 
in  any  other  capacity  than  that  of  a  servant  ; 

(11) 


12  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 

and  one  of  the  boys  was  very  nearly  white,  while 
the  other  was  as  black  as  ebony  undefiled.  They 
were  fugitives  and  wanderers  from  the  far  south 
west  ;  and  the  story  which  they  told  to  Mr. 
Grant  and  his  happy  family  will  form  the  sub 
stance  of  this  volume. 


The  plantation  of  Colonel  Baylie  Raybone  was 
situated  on  one  of  the  numerous  bayous  which 
form  a  complete  network  of  water  communications 
in  the  western  part  of  the  parish  of  Iberville,  in 
the  State  of  Louisiana.  The  "  colonel,"  whose 
military  title  was  only  a  courtesy  accorded  to  his 
distinguished  position,  was  a  man  of  immense  pos 
sessions,  and  consquently  of  large  influence.  His 
acres  and  his  negroes  were  numbered  by  thousands, 
and  he  was  largely  engaged  in  growing  sugar  and 
rice.  The  estate  on  which  he  resided  went  by 
the  name  of  Redlawn.  His  mansion  was  palatial 
in  its  dimensions,  and  was  furnished  in  a  style  of 
r^gal  magnificence. 


THE     YOUNO     FUGITIVES.  13 

The  region  in  which  Redlawn  was  situated  was 
a  low  country,  subject  to  inundation  in  the  season 
of  high  water.  The  sugar  plantation  was  located 
on  a  belt  of  land  not  more  than  a  mile  in  width, 
upon  the  border  of  the  bayou,  which,  contrary  to 
the  usual  law,  was  higher  ground  than  portions 
farther  from  the  river.  The  lower  lands  were  used 
for  the  culture  of  rice,  which,  our  young  readers 
know,  must  be  submerged  during  a  part  of  the 
year. 

A  short  distance  from  the  splendid  mansion 
of  the  princely  planter  was  a  large  village  of  negro 
huts,  where  the  "  people "  ot  the  estate  resided. 
As  Colonel  Raybone  was  a  liberal  and  progressive 
man,  the  houses  of  the  negroes  were  far  superior 
to  those  found  upon  many  of  the  plantations  of 
the  South.  They  were  well  built,  neatly  white 
washed,  and  no  doubt  the  negroes  who  dwelt  in 
them  regarded  it  as  a  fortunate  circumstance  that 
they  were  the  slaves  of  Colonel  Raybone. 

Along  the  front  of  the  negro  hamlet,  and  of 
the  mansion  house,  ran  the  public  highway,  while 
in  the  rear  of  them,  and  at  a  distance  of  nearly 
2 


14  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

half  a  mile,  was  the  bayou,  which  was  generally 
called  the  "  Crosscut,"  because  it  joined  two  larger 
rivers.  At  the  foot  of  a  gravel  walk,  leading  from 
the  mansion  down  to  the  bayou,  was  a  pier,  upon 
which  was  built  a  tasty  summer  house,  after  the 
style  of  a  Chinese  pagoda,  so  that  the  planter  and 
his  family  could  enjoy  the  soft  breezes  that  swept 
over  the  surface  of  the  stream.  There  they  spent 
many  of  their  summer  evenings  ;  and  truly  it  was 
a  delightful  place. 

Fastened  to  the  pier  were  several  small .  boats, 
including  a  light  wherry,  and  a  four-oar  race  boat. 
Moored  in  the  middle  of  the  stream  lay  a  large 
sail  boat,  in  which  the  planter  often  made  long 
trips  for  pleasure ;  for,  by  the  network  of  rivers 
ftith  which  the  bayou  was  connected,  he  could  ex 
plore  a  vast  tract  of  country,  and  even  reach  the 
Red  River  on  the  north,  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
on  the  south. 

The  family  that  dwelt  in  the  "  great  house," 
as  the  negroes  called  the  mansion,  were  Colonel 
Raybone,  his  wife,  and  two  children.  The  planter 
himself  was  a  genial,  pleasant  man,  when  nothing 


THK     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  15 

disturbed  him ;  but  lie  was  quick  and  impulsive, 
and  exacted  the  homage  due  to  his  position  from 
his  inferiors.  Mrs.  liaybone  was  an  easy,  indolent 
woman,  v/ho  would  submit  to  injury  rather  than 
endure  the  effort  required  to  redress  it. 

Master  Archibald  Raybone,  his  older  child,  was 
a  youth  of  fifteen,  and  was  as  much  like  his  father 
as  Miss  Edith,  a  young  lady  of  fourteen,  was  like 
her  mother.  Archy,  as  he  was  familiarly  called 
by  black  and  white,  was  fond  of  having  his  own 
way ;  and,  as  long  as  it  did  not  conflict  with  that 
of  his  imperious  father,  he  was  indulged  to  the 
fullest  extent.  Miss  Edith  was  fond  of  repose, 
and  could  not  even  speak  French  or  play  upon 
the  piano,  because  it  was  too  much  trouble  to 
obtain  these  accomplishments,  though  private  tu 
tors  had  labored  sedulously  for  S3veral  years  to 
meet  the  exigencies  of  the  case. 

Besides  those  who  were  properly  members  of 
the  family,  there  was  a  small  army  of  servants, 
ranging  from  the  purest  white  to  the  blackest 
black  ;  all  slaves,  of  course.  There  were  cooks, 
laundresses,  waiters,  valets,  lackeys,  coachmen, 


16  WATCH     AXD     AVAIT,     OR 

body-servants,  and  lady's-maids  ;  every  kind  of 
servitor  which  ingenuity  could  devise  or  luxury 
demand.  Master  Archy  had  a  body-servant,  and 
Miss  Edith  had  a  lady's-maid.  As  these  indi 
viduals  are  important  personages  in  our  story,  we 
must  give  our  young  friends  a  better  idea  of  who 
and  what  they  were. 

The  body-servant  of  the  son  and  heir  was  a  youth 
of  sixteen.  He  was  nearly  white,  his  complexion 
being  very  slightly  tinted  with  the  yellow  hue  of  the 
mulatto.  He  was  tall  of  his  age,  and  exceedingly 
well  formed.  As  the  servant  and  companion  of  Mas 
ter  Archy,  of  course  it  was  necessary  that  he  should 
make  a  good  appearance  :  and  he  was  always  well 
dressed,  and  managed  his  apparel  with  singularly  good 
taste  and  skill.  His  name  was  Daniel ;  but  his  grace 
ful  form  and  excellent  taste  in  dress  had  caused  his 
n£.;ne  to  be  corrupted  from  "  Dan,"  by  which  short 
appellative  he  had  formerly  been  called,  into  "  Dandy," 
and  this  was  now  the  only  name  by  which  he  was 
known  on  the  plantation. 

Dandy  was  a  boy  of  good  parts.  He  could  read 
and  write,  and  had  a  better  understanding  of  the  ordi- 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  17 

nary  branches  of  knowledge  than  his  young  master, 
for  Archy  was  always  attended  by  his  body-servant 
when  engaged  in  his  studies.  Though  no  efforts  had 
been  wasted  upon  the  "  chattel,"  he  had  learned  the 
lessons  better  than  the  son  and  heir,  upon  whose 
education  a  small  fortune  had  been  lavished.  Dandy 
was  quick  to  see  and  comprehend  what  Archy  had  to 
have  explained  to  him  over  and  over  again.  Though 
the  slave  was  prudent  enough  to  conceal  his  attain 
ments,  he  was  wise  enough  to  profit  by  the  opportu 
nities  which  were  afforded  to  him.  In  the  solitude  of 
his  chamber,  while  his  young  master  slept,  he  dili 
gently  used  the  books  he  had  privately  secured  for 
study.  And  the  instructions  of  the  tutor  were  not 
wasted  upon  him,  though  he  often  seemed  to  be 
asleep  during  the  lessons.  He  listened  and  remem 
bered  ;  he  pondered  and  reasoned. 

Dandy's  mother  was  dead.  She  had  been  a  house 
servant  of  Colonel  Raybone.  It  was  said  that  she 
had  become  refractory,  and  had  been  sold  in  New 
Orleans  ;  but  the  son  had  only  a  faint  remembrance  of 
her.  Of  his  father  he  knew  nothing.  Though  he 
had  often  asked  about  him,  he  could  obtain  no  in- 
2* 


18  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OB 

formation.  If  the  people  in  the  house  knew  any  thing 
of  him,  they  would  not  tell  the  inquisitive  son.  Such 
was  Dandy,  the  body-servant  of  Master  Archy.  He 
led  an  easy  life,  having  no  other  occupation  than  that 
of  pleasing  the  lordly  young  heir  of  Redlawn. 

Miss  Edith's  lady's-maid  was  whiter  and  fairer 
than  her  young  mistress.  The  keenest  observer  could 
detect  no  negro  characteristic  in  her  looks  or  her 
manner.  So  fair  and  white  was  she,  that  her  mistress 
had  given  her  the  name  of  "  Lily."  And  yet  she 
was  a  slave,  and  that  which  made  her  fascinating  to 
the  eye  had  given  her  a  value  which  could  be  estimat 
ed  only  in  thousands  of  dollars.  Of  her  father  and 
mother  Lily  knew  nothing.  One  of  her  companions 
in  bondage  told  her  that  she  had  been  bought,  when  a 
child,  on  board  of  a  Red  River  steamboat.  That  was 
all  she  knew,  and  all  she  ever  was  to  know.  Those 
who  are.  familiar  with  the  slave  system  of  the  South 
can  surmise  who  and  what  she  was. 

Miss  Edith  was  indolent,  but  she  was  sour  and 
petulant,  and  poor  Lily's  daily  life  was  not  a  bed  of 
roses.  All  day  long  she  had  to  stand  by  her  exacting 
young  mistress,  obey  her  slightest  gesture,  and  humoi 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  19 

all  her  whims.  Though  she  was  highly  valued  as  a 
piece  of  property  by  her  owner,  she  had  only  one  real 
friend  in  the  wide  world  —  a  cold,  desolate,  and 
dreary  Avorld  to  her,  though  her  lot  was  cast  in  the 
midst  of  the  sweet  flowers  and  bright  skies  of  the 
sunny  south  —  only  one  friend,  and  that  was  Dandy. 
He  knew  how  hard  it  was  to  indulge  all  the  caprices 
of  a  wayward  child ;  how  hard  it  was  to  be  spurned 
and  insulted  by  one  who  was  his  inferior  in  mind  and 
heart. 

Dandy  had  another  friend,  though  the  richest 
treasures  of  his  friendship  were  bestowed  upon  the 
fair  and  gentle  Lily.  A  wild,  rollicking,  careless 
piece  of  ebony,  a  pure  negro,  was  his  other  friend. 
He  was  a  stable  boy,  and  one  of  the  crew  who  pulled 
the  four-oar  race  boat,  when  Master  Archy  chose 
to  indulge  in  an  excursion  upon  the  water.  His 
master,  who  in  his  early  years  had  made  the  acquaint 
ance  of  the  classics,  had  facetiously  named  him 
Thucydides  —  a  long,  hard  word,  which  no  negro 
would  attempt  to  utter,  and  which  the  white  folks 
were  too  indolent  to  manage.  The  name,  therefore, 
had  been  suitably  contracted,  and  this  grinning  es- 


20  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OB 

sence  of  fun  and  frolic  was  called  "  Cyd"  —  with  no 
reference,  however,  to  the  distinguished  character  of 
Spanish  history.  But  Cyd  was  a  character  himself, 
and  had  no  need  to  borrow  any  of  the  lustre  of  Spain 
or  Greece.  He  shone  upon  his  own  account. 

With  this  introduction  to  Redlawn,  and  those  who 
lived  there,  our  readers  are  prepared  to  embark  with 
us  in  the  story  of  the  young  fugitives. 


THE    YOTTNG    FUGITIVES.  21 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE    EDITH    GOES    DOWN   TO    GREEN    POINT. 

"  SHOVE  OFF  ! "  said  Master  Archy,  in  the  most 
dignified  manner,  as  he  sunk  upon  the  velvet  cushions 
in  the  stern  sheets  of  the  four-oar  boat. 

"  Shove  off !  "  repeated  Dandy,  who,  as  coxswain 
of  the  boat,  was  charged  with  the  execution  of  the 
orders  delivered  by  his  imperial  master. 

Cyd,  who  was  the  bow  oarsman,  opened  his  mouth 
from  ear  to  ear,  displaying  a  dual  set  of  ivories  which 
a  dentist  would  have  been  proud  to  exhibit  as  speci 
mens  of  his  art,  and  with  a  vigorous  thrust  of  the 
boat-hook,  forced  the  light  craft  far  out  into  the 
stream,  thus  disturbing  the  repose  gf  a  young  alligator 
which  was  sunning  himself  upon  a  snag.  Cyd  was 
fond  of  the  water,  and  had  no  taste  for  the  various 
labors  that  were  required  of  him  about  the  house  and 
stable.  He  was  delighted  with  the  prospect  of  a  sail 


22  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OK 

on  the  river ;  and  being  a  slave,  and  not  permitted 
to  express  his  views  in  the  ordinary  way,  he  did  so  by 
distending  his  mouth  into  a  grin  which  might  have 
intimidated  the  alligator  on  the  log. 

"  Toss  ! "  added  Dandy ;  and  up  went  the  four 
oars  of  the  rowers. 

"  Let  fall !  "  and  with  a  precision  which  would 
have  been  creditable  to  the  crew  of  a  commodore's 
barge,  the  blades  struck  the  water  as  one. 

"  Give  way ! "  and  the  boat  dashed  down  the 
stream,  impelled  by  the  vigorous  strokes  of  the  dusky 
oarsmen. 

The  crew  were  boys  of  sixteen,  or  thereabouts, 
selected  from  the  hands  on  the  plantation  with 
reference  to  their  size  and  muscular  development. 
They  were  clothed  in  white  duck  pants,  blue  cotton 
frocks,  trimmed  with  white,  and  wore  uniform  straw 
hats,  encircled  by  black  bands,  upon  which  was 
inscribed,  in  gilt  letters,  the  name  of  the  boat, 
"  Edith,"  in  compliment  to  the  young  boatman's 
sister. 

The  Edith  was  a  magnificent  craft,  built  in  New 
Vork,  and  fitted,  furnished,  and  ornamented  without 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  23 

regard  to  cost.     Colonel  Haybone  had  a  nephew  who 

• 

was  a  passed-midshipman  in  the  navy,  who,  while  on 
a  visit  to  Redlawn,  had  instructed  the  crew  in  the 
elements  of  boating.  The  black  boys  did  not  regard 
their  labors  as  work,  and  took  GO  much  pride  in 
making  themselves  proficient  in  their  duties,  that 
they  might  well  have  challenged  comparison  with 
the  best  boat  club  in  the  country. 

Master  Archy  was  very  dignified  and  magnificent 
as  he  reclined  in  the  stern  of  the  beautiful  craft. 
He  said  nothing,  and  of  course  the  coxswain,  who 
sat  behind  him,  was  not  privileged  to  say  any  thing. 
It  was  his  duty  to  speak  when  he  was  spoken  to,  and 
with  a  keen  eye  he  watched  the  progress  of  the  boat, 
as  she  cut  her  way  through  the  sluggish  waters  of  the 
bayou. 

Dandy,  as  we  have  before  remarked,  was  a  youth 
of  quick  parts,  and  under  the  scientific  instruction  of 
Mr.  Midshipman  Raybone,  he  had  thoroughly  mas 
tered  the  art  of  boating,  not  only  in  its  application  to 
row  boats,  but  also  in  reference  to  sailing  craft ;  and 
there  was  no  person  on  the  place  more  skilful  in  the 
management  of  the  schooner  than  the  body-servant 
nf  Master  Archy. 


24  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 

.The  Edith  flew  on  her  course,  frightening  from 
their  repose  the  herons  and  the  alligators  that  were 
enjoying  the  sunshine  of  the  bright  spring  morning. 
Master  Archy  did  speak  sometimes,  but  this  morning 
he  was  unusually  taciturn.  He  seemed  to  be  brood 
ing  over  something :  those  who  did  not  know  him 
might  have  supposed  that  he  was  thinking ;  but  the 
son  and  heir  of  Redlawn  did  not  often  give  himself 
up  to  meditation  in  its  higher  sense.  It  was  more 
likely  that  he  was  wondering  what  he  should  do  next, 
for  time  hung  heavy  on  his  hands.  He  had  nothing 
to  do  but  amuse  himself,  and  he  had  completely  ex 
hausted  his  slender  ingenuity  in  devising  new  amuse 
ments. 

"  Stop  her,"  said  he,  languidly,  after  the  boat  had 
gone  about  two  miles. 

Dandy  obeyed  the  order  without  a  question,  and 
the  Edith  soon  floated  listlessly  on  the  water,  waiting 
the  pleasure  of  her  magnificent  owner. 

"  Back  to  the  pier,"  added  Archy ;  and  under  the 
orders  of  her  skilful  coxswain,  she  was  put  about, 
and  darted  up  the  river  on  her  return. 

The    shining   ebony    face   of  the    great  Athenian 


THE    YOTJNG    FUGITIVES.  25 

philosopher's  namesake  looked  glum  and  discon 
tented.  He  was  not  satisfied  with  the  order ;  but 
not  being  a  free  agent,  he  was  cruelly  deprived  of  the 
luxury  of  grumbling.  Roaming  in  the  cane-brake,  or 
sunning  himself  on  a  log  like  the  juvenile  alligators, 
while  Master  Archy  took  his  walk,  or  even  pulling 
the  boat,  was  much  more  to  his  taste  than  rubbing 
down  the  horses  and  digging  weeds  out  of  the  gravel 
walks  in  front  of  the  mansion.  The  order  to  return, 
therefore,  was  a  grievous  disappointment  to  him ;  for 
the  head  gardener  or  the  head  groom  would  be  sure 
to  find  a  job  for  him  that  would  last  all  day. 

Master  Archy  did  not  know  his  own  mind  ;  and 
he  did  not  have  the  same  mind  for  a  great  while  at  a 
time.  Cyd  supposed  he  had  thought  of  something 
that  would  please  him  better  on  the  estate.  No 
doubt  if  the  surfeited  young  devotee  of  pleasure 
had  permitted  his  dark  companions  to  think  for  him, 
they  might  have  invented  a  new  pleasure ;  but  he 
seldom  spoke  to  them,  and  they  were  not  allowed 
to  speak  to  him,  except  in  a  case  of  emergency. 

The  boat  reached  the  pier,  and  was  brought 
alongside  the  landing  steps,  in  a  style  that  was  above 
3 


26  WATCH    AND    AVAIT,    OB 

criticism.  Poor  Cyd  was  disgusted  and  indignant  at 
the  idea  of  having  his  day  spoiled  in  this  capricious 
manner.  If  he  had  been  born  under  the  free  skies 
of  New  England,  he  would,  no  doubt,  have  remon 
strated  ;  but  his  social  position  and  the  discipline  of 
the  boat  did  not  permit  him  to  utter  even  a  word  of 
disapprobation.  But  Cyd  was  needlessly  disturbed 
in  the  present  instance,  for  his  lordly  master  had  no 
intention  of  abandoning  the  cruise,  though  if  he  had 
been  so  condescending  as  to  say  so  when  he  ordered 
the  Editn  to  return,  he  would  have  saved  her  crew  all 
the  bitter  pangs  of  disappointment  which  they  had 
endured  during  the  retrograde  passage. 

"  Cyd  !  "  said  Master  Archy,  when  the  boat  came 
up  to  the  steps,  and  the  rowers  had  tossed  their 
oars. 

"Sar!"  replied  Cyd,  exploding  the  word  as 
though  he  had  been  a  member  of  Monsieur  Crapeau's 
class  in  French  elementary  sounds,  and  with  a  start 
which  seemed  to  shake  every  fibre  in  his  wiry  frame. 

"Do  you  know  where  my  boxing  gloves  are  r  " 

"  Yes,  Massa  Archy  ;  in  de  gym-shum,"  answered 
Cyd,  again  exhibiting  his  ivories,  for  the  case  began 
to  look  slightly  hopeful. 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  27 

"  In  the  what  ?  "  demanded  Archy,  a  languid 
smile  appearing  upon  his  face. 

"In  de  gym-shum,"  said  Cyd,  taking  advantage 
of  this  faint  smile,  and  exploding  the  two  syllables 
with  all  the  vigor  of  a  pair  of  healthy  lungs. 

"  In    the  gymnasium,  you   black   rascal !  " 

"  Yes,  Massa  Archy,  dem's  um  —  in  de  gym  — 
shum.  Dat's  jes  what  I  say,  massa  —  in  de  gym- 
shum." 

"  Go  up  and  get  them  ;  and  mind  you  don't  keep 
me  waiting  all  day,"  continued  Archy,  who  was 
not  equal  to  the  effort  of  making  the  boy  pro 
nounce  the  word  correctly. 

Cyd  darted  off  with  a  speed  that  promised  the 
best  results. 

"  I  feel  stupid  to-day,  and  I  think  a  bout  with 
the  gloves  will  do  me  good,"  yawned  Archy,  with 
a  hideous  gape,  as  he  stretched  himself  at  full  length 
upon  the  velvet  cushions,  with  his  feet  hanging  out 
over  the  water. 

"  Perhaps  it  would,  sir,"  replied  Dandy,  to'  whom 
the  remark  was  supposed  to  be  addressed. 

"  We  will  go  do\vn  to  Green  Point,"  added  he. 


28  WATCH    AND   WAIT,    OR 

"Yes,   sir." 

The  conversation  ended  here,  the  young  magnate 
of  Redlawn  closing  his  eyes  and  gaping  by  turns  for 
the  next  ten  minutes,  till  Cyd,  puffing  like  a  grampus, 
appeared  on  the  steps. 

"  Here's  de  glubs,  Massa  Archy,"  said  he,  as 
he  handed  them  to  the  attentive  coxswain. 

"  Where's  the  other  pair,  you  black  rascal  ? " 
•oared  Archy,  springing  up  from  his  recumbent 
f osture. 

"  I  only  fotched  ober  de  one  pair,  massa,"  re 
plied  Cyd,  with  an  exceedingly  troubled  expression. 

"  Cyd,   you    are    a   fool !  " 

"  Yes,  Massa  Archy,"  answered  the  black  boy, 
•>vho  seemed  to  be  perfectly  willing  to  grant  the 
position. 

"  What  do  you  suppose  I  want  of  one  pair  of 
gloves ! "  continued  Archy,  angrily,  as  he  seized 
one  of  the  oars,  and  aimed  a  blow  at  the  head  of 
the  culprit,  which,  however,  Cyd  was  expert  enough 
to  dodge.  "  Go  and  get  the  other  pair ;  and  if 
you  are  gone  half  as  long  as  you  were  before,  I'U 
have  you  flogged." 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  29 

The  eye  of  Dandy  kindled  for  a  moment, — for 
the  same  blood  flowed  in  the  veins  of  both,  — 
as  he  listened  to  the  brutal  words  of  his  young 
master. 

"  That  boy  is  a  fool ! "  said  Archy,  as  he  settled 
down  into  his  reclining  posture  again.  "  He  needs  a 
whipping  to  sharpen  his  understanding." 

Dandy  wholly  and  entirely  dissented  from  this 
view ;  but  of  course  he  was  not  so  impolitic  as  to 
state  his  views.  In  ten  minutes  more,  Cyd  re 
appeared  with  another  pair  of  boxing  gloves ;  but 
these  were  not  the  right  ones.  They  were  too  large 
either  for  Dandy  or  his  master,  and  the  poor  boy  was 
solemnly  assured  that  he  should  be  Avhipped  when 
they  returned  from  the  excursion.  The  coxswain 
was  then  sent,  and  during  his  absence,  Archy  amused 
himself  in  pointing  out  the  enormity  of  Cyd's  con 
duct,  first  in  bringing  one  pair,  and  then  bringing 
the  wrong  pair  of  gloves. 

Dandy    returned    in    fifteen    minutes,     and    after 

snarling   at   him   for    being    so   long,  Master  Archy 

gave  the   order  for   the    boat    to  push  off.     All  the 

forms   were  gone  through  with  as  before,  and  again 

3* 


30  WATCH    AND     WAIT,     OK 

the  Edith  darted  down  the  bayou.  After  a  pull  or' 
five  miles  down  the  Crosscut,  they  reached  another 
and  larger  river.  Green  Point  was  the  tongue  of 
land  between  the  two  streams,  and  here  Master  Ar- 
chy  and  his  coxswain  landed. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  31 


CHAPTER     III. 

MASTEK    AKCHY    BECEIVES     AN     UNLUCKY     BLOW. 

GREEN  POINT  was  a  very  pleasant  place,  to 
which  the  'luxurious  occupants  of  the  mansion  at 
Redlawn  occasionally  resorted  to  spend  a  day.  The 
land  was  studded  with  a  growth  of  sturdy  forest 
trees.  Formerly  it  had  been  covered  with  a  thick 
undergrowth  of  canes ;  but  these,  near  the  Point, 
had  been  cut  away,  and  the  place  otherwise 
prepared  for  the  visits  of  the  grand  people. 

The  day  was  cool  and  pleasant  for  that  locality, 
and  perhaps  the  magnificent  son  and  heir  of  the 
planter  of  Redlawn  felt  that  a  little  sharp  exercise 
would  be  beneficial  to  him.  He  never,  performed 
any  useful  labor  ;  never  saddled  his  own  pony,  or 
polished  his  own  boots  ;  never  hoed  a  hill  of  corn, 
or  dug  up  a  weed  in  the  garden.  He  had  been 
taught  that  labor  was  degrading,  and  only  suited 
to  the  condition  of  the  negro. 


32  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 

Master  Archy,  therefore,  never  degraded  himself. 
His  indolence  and  his  aristocratic  principles  were 
in  accord  with  each  other.  Though  he  actually 
suffered  for  the  want  of  something  to  do,  he  was 
not  permitted  to  demean  himself  by  doing  any  thing 
that  would  develop  the  resources  of  the  fruitful 
e.irth,  and  add  to  the  comfort  of  his  fellow-beings. 
I  am  quite  sure,  if  the  young  seignior  had  been 
compelled  to  hoe  corn,  pick  cotton,  or  cut  cane  for  a 
few  hours  every  day,  or  even  been  forced  to  learn 
his  lessons  in  geography,  grammar,  and  history,  Ii3 
would  have  been  a  better  boy,  and  a  happier  one. 

Idleness  is  not  only  the  parent  of  mischief,  but 
it  is  the  fruitful  source  of  human  misery.  Master 
Archy,  with  every  thing  that  ingenuity  could  devise 
and  wealth  purchase  to  employ  his  time,  was  one 
of  the  most  unhappy  young  men  in  the  country. 
He  never  knew  what  to  do  with  himself.  He 
turned  coldly  from  his  boats  to  his  pony  ;  then 
from  the  pony  to  the  gymnasium  ;  then  to  the 
bowling  alley ;  and  each  in  turn  was  rejected,  for 
it  could  not  furnish  the  needed  recreation. 

Master   Archy   landed   at     Green    Point,    and   he 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  33 

was  fully  of  the  opinion  that  he  could  amuse  him 
self  for  an  hour  with  the  boxing  gloves.  For 
the  want  of  a  white  companion  of  his  own  age, 
he  had  been  compelled  to  practise  the  manly  art 
of  self-defence  with  his  body-servant.  Perhaps 
also  there  was  some  advantage  in  having  Dandy 
for  his  opponent,  for,  being  a  slave,  he  would 
not  dare  to  give  as  good  as  he  received. 

Dandy  had  taken  lessons  in  the  art  with  his 
young  master,  and  though  he  was  physically  and 
"  scientifically  "  his  superior,  he  was  cunning  enough 
to  keep  on  the  right  side  of  Master  Archy,  by 
letting  him  have  the  set-to  all  his  own  way.  It 
•was  no  easy  matter  to  play  at  fisticuffs  with  the 
young  lord,  even  with  gloves  on,  for  his  temper 
was  not  particularly  mild  when  he  was  crossed. 
If  he  happened  to  get  a  light  rap,  it  made  him 
mad  ;  and  in  one  way  or  another  he  was  sure  to 
wreak  ample  vengeance  upon  the  offender.  Dandy 
•was  therefore  obliged  to  handle  his  master  with 
extreme  care. 

Yet  Archy  had  a  fantastic  manliness  in  his 
composition,  which  enabled  him  to  realize  that 


34  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 

there  was  no  credit  in  beating  an  unresisting  op 
ponent.  Dandy  must  do  some  thing  ;  he  must 
bestow  some  blows  upon  his  capricious  companion, 
but  he  had  learned  that  they  must  be  given  with 
the  utmost  care  and  discretion.  In  a  word,  if  hff 
did  not  hit  at  all,  Master  Archy  did  not  like  it; 
and  if  he  hit  too  hard,  or  in  a  susceptible  spoty 
he  was  mad. 

Our  readers  who  are  fond  of  manly  sport  will 
readily  perceive  that  Dandy  was  in  the  position  of 
the  frogs,  —  that  what  was  fun  to  Archy  was  death 
to  him,  in  a  figurative  sense.  He  did  not  have 
much  fondness  for  the  manly  art.  He  had  no 
moral  views  on  the  subject,  but  he  hated  the 
game  for  its  own  sake. 

With  the  two  pairs  of  gloves  in  his  hands, 
Dandy  followed  his  young  lord  till  they  came  to 
a  smooth  piece  of  ground,  under  the  spreading 
shade  of  a  gigantic  oak.  Master  Archy  then  di- 
vested  himself  of  his  white  linen  sack,  which  his 
attentive  valet  hung  upon  the  trunk  of  a  tree. 
He  then  rolled  up  his  sleeves  and  put  on  the 
gloves.  He  was  assisted  in  all  these  preparations 
by  Dandy. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  35 

"Come,  Dandy,  you  are  not  ready,"  said  he, 
petulantly,  when  he  was  fully  "  mounted "  for  the 
occasion. 

"  I  am  all  ready,  sir,"  replied  Dandy,  as  he 
slipped  on  the  other  pair  of  gloves. 

"  No,  you  are  not,"  snarled  Archy,  who,  for 
some  reason  or  other,  was  in  unusually  bad  hu 
mor.  "  Do  you  think  I  will  box  with  you  while 
you  have  your  jacket  on  ? " 

"  I  can  do  very  well  with  my  jacket  on,"  re 
plied  Dandy,  meekly. 

"  No,  you  can't.  I  can  whip  you  in  your  shirt 
sleeves.  I  don't  want  to  take  any  advantage  of 
you.  Off  with  your  jacket,  and  put  yourself  in 
trim." 

Dandy  obeyed,  and  in  a  few  moments  he  was 
the  counterpart,  so  far  as  dress  was  concerned,  of 
his  master. 

"  Now  stand  up  to  it  like  a  man,  for  I'm  going  to 
give  you  a  hard  one  to-day,"  added  Archy,  as  he 
flourished  with  the  gloves  before  his  companion. 

There  was  a  faint  smile  upon  his  countenance 
as  he  uttered  these  words,  and  Dandy  saw  signs  of 


36  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OB 

unusual  energy  in  his  eyes.  He  evidently  intended 
to  do  some  "  big  thing,"  and  the  sport  was  therefore 
more  distasteful  than  ever  to  the  body-servant,  whose 
hands  were,  in  a  measure,  fettered  by  his  position. 

Dandy  placed  himself  in  the  proper  attitude,  and 
went  through  all  the  forms  incident  to  the  sci 
ence.  At  first  Master  Archy  was  cool  and  self-pos 
sessed,  and  his  "plungers"  and  "left-handers"  Avere 
adroitly  parried  by  the  other,  who,  if  his  master 
intended  to  win  a  decided  triumph  on  the  present 
occasion,  was  determined  to  make  him  earn  his 
laurels.  But  Dandy  did  little  more  than  avoid  the 
blows ;  he  gave  none,  and  received  none. 

"  Come,  stand  up  to  it !  "  shouted  Archy,  who 
soon  began  to  be  disgusted  with  these  tame  proceed 
ings.  "Why  don't  you  exert  yourself?" 

"  I  do,  sir ;  I  have  done  my  best  to  ward  off 
your  blows,"  replied  Dandy. 

"  I  will  give  you  something  more  to  do,  then," 
added  Archy,  and  sprang  to  his  game  with  redoubled 
vigor. 

As  a  matter  of  prudence,  Dandy  permitted  him 
self  to  be  hit  once  on  the  side  of  the  head.  This 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  37 

encouragement  was  not  lost  upon  Archy,  and  he 
increased  his  efforts,  but  he  could  not  hit  his  rival 
again  for  some  time.  After  a  few  moments  his 
"wind"  gave  out,  and  operations  were  suspended. 
When  he  had  recovered  breath  enough  to  speak,  he 
proceeded  to  declare  that  Dandy  had  no  spirit,  and 
did  not  try  to  make  the  game  exciting. 

"  I  have  done  my  best,  sir,"  replied  Dandy. 

"  No,  you  haven't.  You  haven't  hit  me  yet,  and 
you  haven't  tried  to  do  so." 

"  Yes,  sir,   I   have." 

"  Don't  contradict   me.     Now  we  will  try  again." 

They  commenced  once  more,  and  immediately 
Dandy,  in  order  to  gratify  his  master,  gave  him  a 
pretty  smart  blow  upon  the  end  of  his  nose.  He 
hoped  this  would  satisfy  the  grumbler,  and  bring  the 
sport  to  a  happy  termination.  As  usual,  the  blow 
excited  the  pugnacity  of  Master  Archy;  and  setting 
the  rules  of  the  art  at  defiance,  he  rushed  upon  his 
companion  with  all  the  impetuosity  of  his  nature. 

Dandy  simply  stood  steady,  and  warded  off  the 
blows  of  his  infuriate  master ;  but  in  spite  of  his 
exertions  he  was  hit  several  times  in  the  breast  and 
4 


38  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 

face,  and  even  "  below  the  belt,"  for  he  did  not  deem 
it  prudent  to  give  another  blow.  Archy  reared  and 
plunged  like  an  angry  steed,  till  he  had  exhausted 
himself;  but  his  temper  had  not  yet  spent  itself.  He 
sat  down  upon  the  ground,  and  rested  himself  for  a 
moment,  then,  throwing  away  the  gloves,  proposed 
to  finish  the  contest  with  the  naked  fists. 

"  I  would  rather  not,  Master  Archy,"  replied 
Dandy,  appalled  at  the  idea. 

"  Throw  away  your  gloves,  and  come  on ! "  said 
Archy,  brandishing  his  fists. 

"  I  hope  you  will  excuse  me,  Master  Archy.  I 
don'j^  want  to  be  pounded  to  a  jelly." 

This  was  certainly  complimentary,  but  there  was 
still  a  burning  sensation  lingering  about  the  nose  of 
the  young  planter,  where  that  member  had  been  flat 
tened  by  his  fellow-pugilist. 

"  No  whining ;  come  on  !  "  repeated  Archy  ;  and 
certain  malicious  thoughts  which  rankled  in  his 
heart  were  manifest  in  his  eyes. 

*'  If  you  please,  Master  Archy,  I  will  keep  my 
gloves  on,  and  you  may  play  without  any." 

"Do  you  think  I  will  do  that?"    sneered  Archy. 


THE     YOUNG     FUtriTlVES.  3d 

"  I  am  willing  to  take  as  good  as  I  send.  Off  with 
your  gloves  ! " 

"  But  only  consider,  sir,  if  any  thing  should  hap 
pen.  If  I  should  hit  you  by  accident " 

"  Hit,  then  !  "  cried  Archy,  angrily,  as  he  sprang 
forward,  and  planted  a  heavy  blow  upon  the  cheek  of 
the  body-servant  before  the  latter  had  time  to  place 
himself  in  the  attitude  of  defence,  though  he  had 
thrown  away  his  gloves  in  obedience  to  the  mandate 
of  his  master. 

For  a  few  moments,  Dandy  defended  himself  from 
the  impetuous  assault  of  the  young  gentleman,  who 
displayed  a  vigor  and  energy  which  he  had  never 
before  exhibited.  The  consequences  of  any  "  acci 
dent"  to  his  master  were  sufficiently  apparent 
and  he  maintained  his  coolness  until  an  un 
lucky  blow  on  the  nose  caused  that  member  to 
bleed,  and  at  the  same  time  produced  a  sharp  and 
stinging  pain. 

Dandy  had  been  politic  and  discreet  up  to  this 
time,  but  the  sharp  pain  roused  a  feeling  of  resent 
ment  in  his  nature.  He  had  borne  all  he  could,  and 
no  longer  acting  upon  the  defensive  alone,  he  assumed 


40  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

/ 

the  aggressive.  Both  parties  were  angry  now,  and 
for  a  moment,  each  did  his  best,  which  shortly 
brought  the  combat  to  a  disastrous  conclusion. 

Dandy's  arm,  which  had  before  been  prudentially 
soft  and  nerveless,  suddenly  hardened  into  solid 
muscle,  and  one  of  his  heavy  blows  came  full  and 
square  upon  the  region  of  Archy's  left  eye.  The 
young  lord  of  the  manor  reeled  as  though  a  tornado 
had  struck  him,  and  fell  heavily  upon  the  ground. 

The  blow  was  a  hard  one,  and  it  fired  his  south 
ern  blood  still  more.  He  leaped  up,  and  seizing  a 
large  stick  which  lay  upon  the  ground,  he  rushed 
towards  his  unhappy  servant,  with  the  intention  of 
annihilating  him  upon  the  spot.  Dandy's  senses 
came  to  him  when  he  saw  Archy  fall,  and  he  was 
appalled  at  the  result  of  the  conflict.  He  had  struck 
the  blow  upon  the  impulse  of  a  momentary  rage,  and 
he  would  have  given  any  thing  to  recall  it. 

"  I  didn't  mean  to  do  it,  Master  Archy  !  Forgive 
me  !  "  pleaded  he,  as  he  retreated  to  avoid  the  up 
lifted  club. 

Archy  was  so  furious  that  he  could  not  speak, 
and  Dandy  was  compelled  to  run  for  his  life. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVKS.  42 


CHAPTER    IV. 

DANDY    DETERMINES    TO    WATCH    AND   WAIT. 

FOKTTJNATELY  for  Dandy,  Master  Archy  was  not 
as  "  long-winded"  as  some  orators  of  whom  we  have 
read,  and,  unhappily,  heard ;  and  therefore  we  cannot 
say  to  what  extent  his  passion  would  have  led  him 
on  the  present  occasion.  There  was  no  fear  of  con 
sequences  to  deter  him  from  smiting  his  bondman, 
even  unto  death.  If  he  had  killed  him,  though  the 
gentle-hearted  might  have  frowned  or  trembled  in 
his  presence,  there  was  no  law  that  could  reach  him. 
There  was  no  dread  of  prison  and  scaffold  to  stay  his 
arm,  and  what  his  untamed  fury  prompted  him  to  do, 
he  might  have  done  with  impunity.  Even  the  statute 
made  for  the  protection  of  the  slave  from  his  cruel 
master,  would  have  been  of  no  avail,  for  the  want  of 
a  white  witness  to  substantiate  the  facts. 

Dandy  ran  away.  It  was  all  he  could  do,  except 
4* 


42  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

defend  himself,  which  might  have  resulted  in  further 
injury  to  his  young  master,  and  thus  involved  him 
deeper  than  before  in  the  guilt  of  striking  a  blow  in 
his  own  defence.  With  no  particular  purpose  in  his 
mind,  except  to  avoid  the  blow  of  the  club,  he  retreated 
in  the  direction  which  led  him  away  from  the  point 
where  they  had  landed.  He  ran  at  his  utmost  speed 
for  a  few  moments,  for  the  impetuosity  of  his  mas 
ter  had  wonderfully  increased  his  fleetness.  Master 
Archy's  wind  soon  gave  out,  and  he  was  no  longer 
able  to  continue  the  chase.  He  abandoned  the  pur 
suit,  and  throwing  himself  upon  the  ground,  vented 
his  rage  in  a  flood  of  tears. 

Dandy  did  not  deem  it  prudent  to  approach  him 
\vhile*  in  this  mood,  and  he  seated  himself  on  a  stump 
at  a  point  where  he  could  observe  his  master's 
motions.  Master  Archy  was  not  cruel  or  vindictive 
by  nature,  and  Dandy  hoped  that  a  few  moments  of 
rest  would  restore  him  to  his  equilibrium.  Archy's 
faults  were  those  of  his  education ;  they  were  the 
offspring  of  his  social  position.  He  had  bgen  accus 
tomed  to  have  his  own  way,  except  when  his  will 
came  in  opposition  to  that  of  his  father,  which  was 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  43 

very  seldom,  for  Colonel  Raybone  was  extremely  and 
injudiciously  indulgent  to  his  children. 

It  was  evident  to  his  body-servant  that  something 
had  gone  wrong  that  morning  with  Master  Archy. 
He  had  never  before  carried  his  fury  to  such  an 
extreme.  Though  he  was  never  reasonable,  it  was 
not  often  that  he  was'  so  unreasonable  as  on  this 
occasion. 

Dandy  watched  him  patiently  till  he  thought  it 
was  time  his  passion  had  spent  itself,  and  then 
walked  towards  him.  Archy  discovered  the  move 
ment  before  he  had  advanced  many  steps  ;  but  with 
out  making  a  demonstration  of  any  kind,  he  rose  from 
the  ground,  and  moved  off  towards  the  scene  of  the 
late  encounter.  As  ho  passed  the  spot,  he  took  his 
coat  upon  his  arm,  and  made  his  way  to  the  Point. 

The  unhappy  servant  was  troubled  and  mystified 
by  this  conduct ;  and  he  was  still  more  bewildered 
when  he  saw  Archy  step  into  the  boat,  and  heard 
him,  in  sharp  tones,  order  the  boatmen  to  pull 
home. 

"  Dar's  Dandy.  Isn't  he  gwine  to  go  home 
wid  us  ? "  said  Cyd,  who  was  even  more  mystified 
than  the  body-servant. 


44  WATCH     AND     AVAIT,     OR 

"  No  questions !  Obey  my  orders,  and  pull  for 
home,"  replied  Archy,  as  he  adjusted  his  shirt 
sleeves  and  put  on  his  coat. 

When  he  had  arranged  his  dress,  he  threw  him 
self  upon  the  velvet  cushions,  and  took  no  further 
notice  of  Dandy  or  the  crew.  His  orders  were,  of 
course,  obeyed.  The  bow  oarsman  pushed  off  the 
boat,  and  she  was  headed  up  the  Crosscut.  By 
this  time,  poor  Dandy,  who,  notwithstanding  the 
obliquities  of  his  master's  disposition,  had  a  strong 
regard  for  him,  reached  the  shore. 

"  I  am  very  sorry  for  what  has  happened,  Master 
Archy,  and  I  hope  you  will  forgive  me,"  said  he,  in 
humble  tones. 

The  imperious  young  lord  made  no  reply  to  this 
supplicating  petition. 

"  Please  to  forgive  me  !"  pleaded  Dandy. 

"  Silence !  Don't  speak  to  me  again  till  I  give 
you  permission  to  do  so,"  was  the  only  reply  he 
vouchsafed. 

Dandy  knew  his  master  well  enough  to  obey, 
literally,  the  injunction  imposed  upon  him.  Seating 
himself  upon  the  ground,  he  watched  the  receding 


THE    YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  45 

boat,  as  the  lusty  oarsmen  drove  it  rapidly  through 
the  water.  The  events  of  the  morning  were  calcu 
lated  to  induce  earnest  and  serious  reflection.  The 
consequences  of  the  affair  were  yet  to  be  developed, 
but  Dandy  had  no  strong  misgivings.  Archy,  he 
hoped  and  expected,  would  recover  his  good  nature 
in  a  few  hours,  at  the  most,  and  then  he  would  be 
forgiven,  as  he  had  been  before. 

It  is  true,  he  had  never  before  given  his  master 
an  angry  blow  ;  but  he  had  been  grievously  provoked, 
and  he  hoped  this  would  prove  a  sufficient  excuse. 
Archy  had  lost  his  temper,  sprung  at  him  with  the 
fury  of  a  tiger,  and  struck  him  several  severe  blows. 
His  face  was  even  now  covered  with  blood,  and  his 
nose  ached  from  the  flattening  it  had  received.  He 
could  not  feel  that  he  had  done  a  very  wicked  deed. 
He  had  only  defended  himself,  which  is  the  inborn 
right  of  man  or  boy  when  unjustly  assailed.  He  had 
been  invited,  nay,  pressed,  to  strike  the  blow  which 
had  caused  the  trouble. 

Then  he  thought  of  his  condition,  of  the  wrongs 
and  insults  which  had  been  heaped  upon  him ;  and  if 
the  few  drops  of  negro  blood  that  flowed  in  his  veins 


46  WATCH     AND    WAIT,     OR 

prompted  him  to  patience  and  submission,  the  white 
blood,  the  Anglo-Saxon  inspiration  of  his  nature, 
which  coursed  through  the  same  channels,  counselled 
resistance,  mad  as  it  might  seem.  As  he  thought  of 
his  situation,  the  tears  came  into  his  eyes,  and  he 
wept  bitterly.  The  future  was  dark  and  forbidding, 
as  the  past  had  been  joyless  and  hopeless.  They 
were  tears  of  anger  and  resentment,  rather  than  of 
sorrow. 

He  almost  envied  the  lot  of  the  laborers,  who 
toiled  in  the  cane-fields.  Though  they  were  meanly 
clad  and  coarsely  fed,  they  were  'not  subjected  to  the 
whims  and  caprices  of  a  wayward  boy.  They  had 
nothing  to  fear  but  the  lash  of  the  driver,  and  this 
might  be  avoided  by  diligence  and  care.  And  then, 
with  the  tears  coursing  down  his  pale  cheeks,  he 
realized  that  the  field-hands  who  labored  beneath 
the  eye  of  the  overseer  and  the  driver  were  better 
on0  and  happier  than  he  was. 

"  What  can  I  do  !  "  murmured  he,  as  he  rose  from 
the  ground,  and  walked  back  to  the  shade  of  the 
trees.  "  If  I  resist,  I  shall  be  whipped ;  and  I  can 
not  endure  this  life.  It  is  killing  me." 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  47 

"  I  will  run  away ! "  said  he,  as  he  sat  down 
upon  a  stump  at  some  distance  from  the  Point 
"  Where  shall  I  go  ? " 

He  shuddered  as  he  thought  of  the  rifle  of  the 
overseer,  and  the  blood-hounds  that  would  follow 
upon  his  track.  The  free  states  were  far,  far  away, 
and  he  might  starve  and  die  in  the  deep  swamps 
which  would  be  his  only  hiding  place.  It  was  too 
hopeless  a  remedy  to  be  adopted,  and  he  was  obliged 
to  abandon  the  thought  in  despair. 

"  I  will  watch  and  wait,"  said  he.  "  Something 
will  happen  one  of  these  days.  If  I  ever  go  to  New 
Orleans  again,  I  will  hide  myself  in  some  ship  bound 
to  the  North.  Perhaps  Master  Archy  will  travel 
some  time.  He  may  go  to  Newport,  Cape  May,  or 
Saratoga,  with  his  father,  this  season  or  next,  and  I 
shall  go  with  him.  I  will  be  patient  and  submissive 
—  that  is  what  the  preacher  said  we  must  all  do ;  and 
if  we  are  in  trouble,  God  will  sooner  or  later  take  the 
burden  from  our  weary  spirits.  I  will  be  patient 
and  submissive,  but  I  will  watch  and  wait" 

WATCH  AND  WAIT  !  There  was  a  world  of  hope 
and  consolation  in  the  idea  which  the  words  ex- 


48  WATCH     AND    WAIT,    OB 

pressed.  He  wiped  away  the  tears  which  had 
trickled  down  his  blood-stained  face.  WATCH  AND 
WAIT  was  the  only  north  star  which  blazed  in  the 
darkened  firmament  of  his  existence.  He  conld 
watch  and  wait  for  months  and  years,  but  constant 
watching  and  patient  waiting  would  one  day  reveal 
the  opportunity  which  should  break  his  bonds,  and 
give  him  the  body  and  spirit  that  God  had  bestowed 
upon  him  as  his  birthright. 

Comforted  by  these  reflections,  and  inspired  by  a 
new  and  powerful  hope,  he  walked  down  to  the  river 
again.  His  step  was  elastic,  and  in  his  heart  he  had 
forgiven  Master  Archy.  He  determined  to  do  all  he 
could  to  please  him ;  to  be  patient  and  submissive 
even  under  his  wayward  and  petulant  rule.  He 
washed  the  blood  from  his  face,  and  tried  to  wash 
away  the  rancor  which  his  master's  conduct  had  kin 
dled  in  his  soul. 

Having  made  his  peace  with  himself,  his  master, 
and  all  mankind,  he  sat  down  upon  the  stump,  and 
took  from  his  pocket  a  small  Testament,  which  a 
pedler  had  dared  to  sell  him  for  the  moderate  sum  of 
five  dollars.  He  read,  and  the  blessed  words  gave 
him  new  hope  and  new  courage.  He  felt  that  he 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  49 

could  bear  any  thing  now ;  but  he  was  mistaken,  for 
there  was  an  ordeal  through  which,  in  a  few  hours, 
he  was  doomed  to  pass  —  an  ordeal  to  which  his 
patience  and  submission  could  not  reconcile  Kim. 

While  he  was  reading,  he  heard  the  dip  of  oars. 
Restoring  the  volume  to  his  pocket,  he  waited  the 
arrival  of  the  boat.  It  was  the  barge  of  Archy ;  but 
the  young  gentleman  was  not  a  passenger.  The  crew 
had  been  sent  down  by  Colonel  Raybone  to  convey 
him  back  to  the  estate.  , 

The  blank  looks  of  the  crew  seemed  ominous  of 
disaster.  Even  the  brilliant  ivories  of  the  ever- 
mirthful  Cyd  were  veiled  in  darkness  beneath  his 
ebony  cheek.  He  looked  sad  and  terrified,  and 
before  any  of  the  crew  had  spoken  a  word,  Dandy 
was  fully  assured  that  a  storm  was  brewing. 

"  Massa  Raybone  done  send  us  down  to  fotch  you 
up,"  said  Cyd,  gloomily. 

"What's  the  matter,  Cyd?"  demanded  Dandy, 
trying  to  be  cheerful  in  the  face  of  these  portending 
clouds  of  darkness. 

"  Massa  Archy  done  git  a  black  eye  some  how  or 
oder,  and  Massa  Kun'l  frow  'imself  into  a  horrid 
5 


50  WATCH     AND     WAIT,    OK 

passion.  Den  he  roar  and  swear  jes  like  an  alligator 
wid  a  coal  o'  fire  in  'is  troat,"  replied  Cyd,  aghast 
with  horror. 

"Well,  what  then?"  asked  Dandy,  with  a  long 
breath. 

"  Den  he  send  for  Long  Tom." 

"  For  Long  Tom ! "  gasped  Dandy,  his  cheek 
paling  and  his  frame  quivering  with  emotion. 

"  Dats  de  truf,"  replied  Cyd,  shaking  his  head. 

"  Long  Tom  "  was  a  tall,  stout  negro-driver,  who 
did  the  whipping  upon  the  plantation.  He  was  to  be 
whipped  !  It  was  a  barbarism  to  which  he  had  never 
been  subjected,  and  he  was  appalled  at  the  thought. 

At  first,  he  decided  not  to  return.  Even  the 
blood-hounds  and  the  perils  of  the  swamp  were  less 
terrible  than  the  Avhipping-post.  But  he  was  un 
willing  to  believe  that  he  was  to  be  subjected  to  this 
trying  ordeal,  and  impelled  by  the  resolutions  he  had 
made,  he  at  last  determined  to  meet  his  master,  and 
by  a  fair  representation  of  the  case,  Avith  an  earnest 
appeal  to  Archy,  he  hoped,  and  even  expected,  tc 
escape  the  punishment. 

Taking  his  place  in  the  boat,  he  was  soon  gliding 
swiftly  on  his  way  to  the  plantation. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  51 


CHAPTER    V. 

THE    TRAGEDY    AT    THE    "  EEAI7    OAK." 

WHEN  the  boat  touched  at  the  pier,  the  slight 
shock  of  its  contact  with  the  steps  seemed  to  shake  the 
very  soul  of  the  culprit,  who  had  already  been  tried 
and  condemned.  Though  he  hoped  to  escape,  the 
doubt  was  heavy  enough  to  weigh  down  his  spirits, 
and  make  him  feel  sadder  than  he  had  ever  felt  before 
in  his  life.  It  was  not  with  him  as  it  would  have 
been  with  one  of  the  crew — with  Cyd,  for  instance, 
who  had  been  whipped  half  a  dozen  times  without 
taking  it  very  sorely  to  heart.  The  Anglo-Saxon 
blood  in  his  veins  boiled  at  the  thought  of  such  an 
indignity,  and  if  he  had  noc  entertained  a  reasonable 
hope  that  he  should  escape  the  terrible  shame  and 
degradation,  \vhich  menaced  him,  he  would  certainly 
have  taken  to  the  swamp,  and  ended  his  days  among 
the  alligators  and  nerons. 


52  WATCH     AND     WAIT,    OR 

There  was  no  one  on  the  pier  when  he  landed :  and 
leaving  the  crew  to  dispose  of  the  boat,  he  walked 
with  a  heavy  heart  towards  the  mansion  cf  the 
planter.  He  had  accomplished  but  half  the  distance, 
when  he  was  met  by  one  of  the  house  servants,  who 
directed  him  to  repair  to  the  "  dead  oak "  beyond 
the  negro  village.  The  boy  who  had  delivered  this 
order  hastened  back  to  the  house,  affording  him  no 
opportunity  to  ask  any  questions,  even  if  he  had 
been  so  disposed. 

"  Long  Tom"  and  the  "  dead  oak"  were  ominous 
phrases  at  Kedlawn,  for  the  former  was  the  whipper- 
general  of  the  plantation,  and  the  latter  the  whip 
ping-post.  The  trunk'  of  the  decaying  tree  had  been 
adapted  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  now  used, 
and  though  Colonel  Raybone  was  considered  a  liberal 
and  humane  master,  the  "dead  oak"  had  been  the 
scene  of  many  a  terrible  tragedy. 

Because  his  master  Wets  a  just  and  fair  man, 
Dandy  hoped  to  escape  the  doom  for  which  all  iho 
preparations  had  already  been  made  ;  but  the  planter 
was  only  as  humane,  as  just  and  fair,  as  the  neces 
sities  of  the  iniquitous  system  upon  which  he  had 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  53 

lived  and  thrived  would  permit  him  to  be.  If  he 
had  lived  beyond  the  reach  of  the  influence  of  this 
Upas  tree  he  might  have  been  a  true  and  noble 
man.  Dandy  believed  that  a  true  statement  of  the 
facts  in  the  case  would  move  the  heart  of  his  mas 
ter  to  mercy  —  would  at  least  save  him  from  the 
indignity  of  being  whipped. 

With  hope,  and  yet  with  some  fearful  misgivings, 
he  went  to  the  "  dead  oak,"  where  the  group  who 
had  been  summoned  to  witness  the  punishment  were 
already  assembled.  By  the  side  of  them  stood  Long 
Tom,  with  the  whip  in  his  hand.  The  strap  by 
which  he  was  to  be  fastened  to  the  trunk  was  ad 
justed. 

Dandy  felt  a  cold  chill  creep  through  his  frame, 
attended  by  a  convulsive  shudder,  as  he  beheld  these 
terrible  preparations.  The  hope  which  had  thus  far 
animated  him  received  a  heavy  shock,  and  he  re 
gretted  that  he  had  not  improved  the  opportunity  to 
run  away  before  it  was  too  late. 

"  Take  off  your  coat ! "  said  Colonel  Raybone, 
sternly. 

Dandy  obeyed.  His  cheeks  were  white,  and  the 
5* 


54  WATCH     ATSD     WAIT  ;     OK, 

color  had  deserted  his  lips.  He  Avas  then  directed, 
in  the  same  cold  and  determined  tones,  to  remove 
his  shirt.  His  teeth  chattered,  and  his  knees  smote 
each  other ;  and  he  did  not  at  once  obey  the  order. 

"  If  you  please,  master,  what  am  I  to  be  whipped 
for?"  said  Dandy,  in  trembling  tones. 

"  What  for,  you  young  villain  ?  How  dare  you 
ask  such  a  question  ?  "  replied  Colonel  Raybone,  an 
grily.  "  You  know  what  you  are  to  be  whipped  for. 
Look  in  Archy's  face  !  " 

He  did  look ;  it  was,  undoubtedly,  a  black  eye 
which  he  had  inflicted  upon  his  young  master. 

"  If  you  please,  sir,  Master  Archy  will  explain  how 
it  happened,"  added.  Dandy,  in  soft  and  subdued 
tones,  which  contained  a  powerful  appeal  to  the 
magnanimity  of  the  young  lord  of  the  manor. 

"  Archy  has  explained  how  it  happened.  Do  you 
think  1  will  let  one  of  my  niggers  strike  my  son  such 
a  blow  as  that  ?  Off  with  your  shirt !  " 

"  I  didn't  want  to  strike  him  at  all.  I  didn't 
want  to  take  off  the  gloves,  sir.  He  made  me  do  it." 

"  Did  he  make  you  give  him  a  black  eye  ?  "  roared 
the  planter.  "  Do  you  expect  me  to  believe  such  a 
•tory  as  this  ?  " 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  55 

"  Didn't  you  make  me  strike  ?  "  continued  Dandy, 
burning  to  his  young  master. 

"  I  didn't  ask  you  to  get  mad,  and  fly  at  me  like  a 
madman,"  replied  Archy,  coldly,  as  he  placed  his 
handkerchief  upon  the  injured  eye. 

"  I  didn't  mean  to  strike  him  so  hard,  master. 
Forgive  me  this  time,  and  I  never  will  strike  him 
again." 

"  I  wanted  you  to  strike,  but  not  to  get  mad,'' 
added  Archy. 

"  Forgive  me  this  time,  master,"  pleaded  Dandy. 

"  Forgive  you,  ycv  villain  !  I'll  forgive  you.  I'll 
teach  you  to  strike  :ny  son  !  Tear  off  his  shirt, 
Tom  ! " 

Long  Tom  was  a  slave.  He  had  groaned  and 
bled  beneath  the  lash  himself;  but  the  trifling 
favors  he  had  received  had  debauched  his  soul,  and 
he  was  a  willing  servant,  ready,  for  a  smile  from  his 
master,  to  perform  with  barbarous  fidelity  the  diabol 
ical  duties  of  his  office.  Seizing  Dandy  by  the  iirm, 
he  pulled  off  his  shirt,  and  led  him  to  the  tree. 

The  last  ray  of  hope  had  expired  in  the  soul  of 
Dandy.  His  blood  rebelled  at  the  thought  of  being 


56  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 

whipped.  He  was  not  stirred  by  the  emotions  which 
disturb  a  free  child  with  a  whipping  in  prospect.  He 
cringed  not  at  the  pain,  he  rebelled  not  at  proper  and 
wholesome  punishment.  This  whipping  was  the 
scourging  of  the  slave  ;  it  was  the  emblem  of  his 
servitude.  The  blows  were  the  stripes  which  the 
master  inflicts  upon  his  bondman.  His  soul  was 
free,  while  his  body  was  in  chains  ;  and  it  was  his 
soul  rather  than  his  body  that  was  to  be  scourged. 

The  thought  was  madness.  His  blood  boiled  with 
indignation,  with  horror,  and  with  loathing.  The 
tide  of  despair  surged  in  upon  his  spirit,  and  over 
whelmed  him.  Ke  resolved  not  to  be  whipped,  and, 
when  Long  Tom  turned  away  to  adjust  the  strap,  he 
sprang  like  an  antelope  through  the  group  of  specta 
tors,  and  ran  with  all  the  speed  he  could  command 
towards  the  river. 

Perhaps  it  was  a  mistake  on  the  part  of  Dandy, 
but  it  was  the  noblest  impulse  of  his  nature  which 
prompted  him  to  resist  the  unjust  sentence  that  had 
been  passed  upon  him.  He  ran,  and  desperation  gave 
him  the  wings  of  the  wind  ;  but  he  had  miscalculated 
his  chances,  if  he  had  considered  them  at  all,  for  the 


THE     YOUJSTG     FUGITIVES.  57 

swift  horse  of  the  planter  was  tied  to  a  stake  near  the 
dead  oak.  He  had  been  riding  over  the  estate  when 
Archy  returned  from  Green  Point  with  the  story  of 
the  blows  which  had  been  inflicted  upon  him. 

Colonel  Raybone  leaped  upon  his  horse  the  instant 
he  realized  the  purpose  of  the  culprit,  and,  before 
Dandy  had  accomplished  half  the  distance  to  the 
river,  the  planter  overtook  him.  He  rode  the  horse 
directly  upon  him,  and  if  the  intelligent  beast  had  not 
been  kinder  than  his  rider,  the  story  of  poor  Dandy 
might  have  ended  here.  As  it  was,  he  was  simply 
thrown  down,  and  before  he  could  rise  and  recover 
himself  the  planter  had  dismounted  and  seized  him 
by  the  arm. 

So  deeply  had  the  prejudices  of  his  condition 
been  implanted  in  his  mind,  that  the  thought  of  be 
stowing  blows  upon  the  sacred  person  of  his  master 
did  not  occur  to  him.  If  he  had  dared  to  fight,  as 
he  had  the  strength  and  the  energy  to  fight,  he 
might  still  have  escaped.  Colonel  Raybone  was  an 
awful  presence  to  him,  and  he  yielded  up  his  pur 
pose  without  a  struggle  to  carry  it  out. 

The    planter    swore    at   him    with   a   fury    which 


58  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 

chilled  his  blood,  and  struck  him  several  smart 
blows  with  his  riding-whip  as  the  foretaste  of  what 
he  was  still  to  undergo. 

"  Now,  back  to  the  tree,"  said  Colonel  Raybone, 
as  he  mounted  his  horse  again.  •> 

Dandy  had  given  up  all  hope  now,  and  he 
marched  to  the  whipping-post,  as  the  condemned 
criminal  walks  to  the  scaffold.  He  had  advanced 
but  a  short  distance  before  he  met  the  other  specta 
tors  to  his  doom,  and  Long  Tom  seized  him  by 
the  wrist,  and  held  him  with  an  iron  gripe  till  they 
reached  the  dead  oak. 

"  Tie  him  up  quick,  Tom,"  said  Colonel  Ray- 
bone.  "  It  has  been  more  work  to  flog  this  young 
cub  than  a  dozen  full-grown  niggers." 

Long  Tom  fastened  the  straps  around  Dandy's 
wrists,  and  passed  them  through  a  band  around  the 
tree,  about  ten  feet  from  the  ground.  He  then 
pulled  the  victim  up  till  his  toes  scarcely  touched 
the  earth. 

"  Now,  lay  them  on  well,"  said  the  planter,  vin 
dictively. 

"  How  many,  Massa  Raybone  ? "  asked  Tom,  as 
he  unrolled  the  long  lash  of  his  whip. 


THE   TRAIiEDY   AT   THE    DEAD    OAK.      Page  58. 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  59 

"  Lay  on  till  I  say  stop." 

Pandy's  flesh  quivered,  but  his  spirit  shrunk 
than  his  body  from  the  contamination  of  the 
slave-master's  scourge.  The  lash  fell  across  his 
back  —  his  back,  as  white  as  that  of  any  who  read 
this  page.  The  blood  gushed  from  the  wound 
which  the  cruel  lash  inflicted,  but  not  a  word  or  a 
groan  escaped  from  the  pallid  lips  of  the  sufferer. 
A  dozen  blows  fell,  and  though  the  flesh  was  terri 
bly  mangled,  the  laceration  of  the  soul  was  deeper 
and  more  severe. 

"  Stop  !  "  said  Colonel  Raybone. 

Long  Tom  promptly  obeyed  the  mandate.  He 
evidently  had  no  feeling  about  the  brutal  job,  and 
there  was  no  sign  of  joy  or  sorrow  in  his  counte 
nance  from  first  to  last.  If  he  felt  at  all,  his  expe 
rience  had  effectually  schooled  him  in  the  difficult 
art  of  concealing  his  emotions. 

"  Take  him  down,"  added  the  planter,  who,  as 
he  gazed  upon  the  torn  and  excoriated  flesh  of  the 
victim,  seemed  to  feel  that  the  atonement  had  washed 
away  the  offence. 

Dnring    the    punishment    Master   Archy   had   be^ 


60  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 

trayed  no  small  degree  of  emotion,  and  before  the 
driver  had  struck  the  sixth  blow  he  had  asked  his 
father,  in  a  whisper,  to  stay  the  hand  of  the  negro. 
He  had  several  times  repeated  the  request ;  but 
Colonel  Raybone  was  inflexible  till  the  crime  had, 
in  his  opinion,  been  fully  expiated. 

Long  Tom  unloosed  the  straps,  and  the  body  of 
the  culprit  dropped  to  the  ground,  as  though  the 
vital  spark  had  for  ever  fled  from  its  desecrated 
tabernacle. 

"  De  boy  nab  fainted,  Massa  Raybone,"  said  the 
driver. 

"  I  see  he  has,"  replied  the  planter,  with  some 
evidence  of  emotion  in  his  tones,  as  he  bent  over 
the  prostrate  form  of  the  boy,  to  ascertain  if  more 
was  not  done  than  had  been  intended. 

He  felt  the  pulse  of  Dandy,  and  satisfied  himself 
that  he  was  not  dead.  We  must  do  him  the  jus 
tice  to  say  that  he  was  sorry  for  what  had  hap 
pened —  sorry  as  a  kind  parent  is  when  compelled 
to  punish  a  dear  child.  He  did  not  believe  that  he 
had  done  wrong,  even  accepting  as  true  the  state 
ment  of  the  culprit ;  for  the  safety  of  the  master  and 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  61 

his  family  made  it  necessary  for  him  to  regard  the 
striking  even  of  a  blow  justifiable  under  other  cir 
cumstances  as  a  great  enormity.  It  was  the  system, 
more  than  the  man,  that  was  at  fault. 

Dandy  was  not  dead,  and  Colonel  Raybone  or 
dered  two  of  the  house  servants,  who  were  present, 
to  do  every  thing  that  his  condition  required.  He 
and  Archy  then  walked  towards  the  house,  gloomy 
and  sad,  both  of  them. 
6 


62  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OB 


CHAPTER   VI. 

A    VISION     OF     THE     PROMISED     LAND. 

DANDY,  lacerated  and  bleeding,  but  still  insensi 
ble,  was  conveyed  to  his  chamber  in  the  mansion 
house,  by  some  of  the  servants.  His  physician 
was  an  old  slave,  skilled  in  the  treatment  of  cases 
of  this  kind.  When  the  patient  recovered  from 
the  swoon  into  which  he  had  fallen,  his  back  was 
carefully  washed,  and  the  usual  remedies  were  ap 
plied.  Though  suffering  terribly  from  the  effects 
of  his  wounds,  he  did  not  permit  a  sigh  nor  a 
groan  to  escape  him. 

The  mangled  flesh  could  be  healed,  but  there 
was  no  balm  at  Redlawn  that  could  restore  his 
mangled  spirit.  Dandy  felt  that  he  had  been 
crushed  to  earth.  Slavery,  which  had  before  been 
endurable  with  patience  and  submission,  was  now 
intolerable.  He  had  been  scourged  with  the  lash. 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  68 

He  had  realized  what  it  was  to  be  a  slave  in  the 
most  bitter  and  terrible  sense. 

"  I  will  watch  and  wait,"  said  he  to  himself, 
when  the  old  slave  had  left  him  alone  with  his  re 
flections,  "  but  no  longer  with  patience  and  submis 
sion.  I  will  cease  to  be  a  slave,  or  I  will  die  a 
freeman  with  the  herons  and  the  alligators  in  the 
swamp." 

The  day  wore  slowly  away,  but  it  was  filled  up 
with  earnest  and  energetic  reflections,  —  in  a  word, 
with  plans  and  suggestions  of  plans  for  escaping 
from  the  bondage  wrhose  fetters  now  galled  him  to 
the  quick.  And  before  the  sun  set  upon  the  -day 
of  his  greatest  humiliation,  he  had  matured  a  scheme 
by  which  he  hoped  and  expected  to  win  the  price 
less  boon  of  freedom.  It  Avas  a  daring  scheme,  and 
its  success  must  depend  wholly  upon  the  skill  and 
energy  with  which  its  details  were  managed. 

When  one  resolves  to  do  a  thing,  it  is  already 
half  done ;  and  Dandy,  stretched  upon  his  couch 
of  pain,  was  inspired  by  the  hope  and  comfort 
which  his  plan  afforded  him.  It  might  be  weeks 
or  months  before  the  favorable  opportunity  for  exe- 


64  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

cuting  his  purpose  should  arrive;  but  the  time 
would  come,  sooner  or  later. 

"  I  will  watch  and  wait,"  said  he,  while  a  smile 
of  hope  illuminated  his  pale  face. 

WATCH  AND  WAIT  had  now  a  new  significance, 
more  vital  than  before ;  and  he  kept  repeating  the 
words,  for  they  were  an  epitome  of  the  whole  duty 
of  the  future. 

While  he  was  pondering  his  great  purpose,  he 
was  surprised  to  receive  a  visit  from  Master  Archy. 
The  imperious  young  gentleman  displayed  a  languid 
smile  upon  his  face  as  he  entered  the  chamber.  It 
was-  intended  as  a  token  of  conciliation.  If  his 
pride  had  permitted  him  to  speak  to  the  suffering 
bondman,  he  would  have  said,  "  Dandy,  you  see  this 
smile  upon  my  face.  It  is  the  olive-branch  of 
peace.  I  freely  forgive  you  for  what  you  have 
done ;  and  you  see,  by  my  coming,  that  I  feel  an 
interest  in  you.  Not  every  young  master  would 
bestow  a  visit  of  sympathy  upon  his  slave,  after 
he  had  been  whipped ;  so  you  see  how  condescend 
ing  I  am.  We  will  be  friends,  as  we  were  before. 
It  is  tr«-.e  you  have  been  whipped ;  but  you  deserved 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  65 

it,  and  I  am  willing  to  forgive  you.  It  may  have 
been  my  fault,  but  as  you  are  a  nigger,  and  in  my 
power,  it  don't  make  much  difference." 

This  was  what  Master  Archy's  looks  said,  and 
the  sufferer  read  them  as  well  as  though  the  words 
had  been  written  upon  his  face.  After  Dandy  came 
to  his  senses,  his  first  thought  was,  that  he  would 
be  revenged  upon  Archy  for  his  mean  and  cowardly 
conduct ;  but  the  great  scheme  he  had  matured 
drove  this  purpose  from  his  mind.  Success  re 
quired  that  he  should  conceal  his  feelings,  or  he 
might  lose  the  confidence  of  his  master,  and  thus 
be  deprived  of  the  opportunity  for  which  he  in 
tended  to  watch  and  wait. 

"  How  do  you  feel,  Dandy  ? "  asked  Archy,  in 
tones  of  sympathy,  as  he  placed  himself  by  the  bed 
side  of  his  body-servant. 

"  Not  very  well,  Master  Archy,"  replied  Dandy. 

"  My  father  carried  it  farther  than  I  intended, 
Dandy.  I  tried  to  stop  him  before." 

"  Thank  you,  Master  Archy,"  answered  the  pa 
tient,  meekly. 

"  Though  it  was  more  than  I  meant  you  should 
6* 


66  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

have,  I  hope  you  will  remember  it  a  long  time," 
added  Archy. 

"  I  shall,   master." 

"  My  eye  is  not  in  very  good  condition,"  said  he, 
wiping  the  injured  organ  with  his  handkerchief. 
"  It  was  a  hard  blow  you  gave  me." 

Dandy  wished  he  would  leave  him,  and  he  did 
not  care  to  argue  the  matter  with  him,  even  if  he 
had  been  privileged  to  do  so. 

"  It  won't  do  to  let  your  servant  go  too  far," 
said  Archy. 

"  I  am  very  sorry  it  happened,"  replied  Dandy. 

"  Well,  I  hope  the  lessfln  will  last  you  as  long 
as  you  live." 

"  It  will,   Master  Archy." 

The  young  tyrant,  when  he  had  fully  satisfied 
himself  that  his  minion  was  in  a  tractable  state, 
took  his  leave,  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  suf 
ferer.  The  old  negro  who  acted  as  his  physician 
paid  him  another  visit  in  the  evening,  and  assured 
him  that  he  would  be  well  in  a  few  days.  He  left 
him  with  the  injunction  to  go  to  sleep,  and  forget 
all  about  it. 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  67 

Dandy  could  not  go  to  sleep,  could  not  forget  all 
about  it.  The  wound  in  his  soul  was  more  pain 
ful  than  those  upon  his  back,  and  hour  after 
hour  passed  away,  but  his  eyes  were  still  set  wide 
open.  His  great  resolution  filled  the  future  with 
sublime  visions,  which  he  panted  to  realize.  His 
path  lay  through  trial  and  danger,  was  environed  by 
death  on  every  side ;  but  paradise  was  at  the  end  of 
it,  and  he  was  willing  to  encounter  every  hardship, 
and  brave  every  danger,  to  win  the  glorious  prize, 
or  content  to  die  if  his  struggles  should  be  in 
vain. 

He  was  determined  to  leave  Redlawn  at  the  first 
favorable  opportunity ;  and  while  he  pictured  a  glow 
ing  future  beyond  the  chilly  damps  of  the  swamp, 
and  out  of  the  reach  of  the  rifle-ball  and  the  blood 
hound,  there  were  still  some  ties  which  bound  him 
to  the  home  of  his  childhood. 

Home !  No,  it  was  only  a  mockery  of  that 
heaven  upon  earth !  It  had  been  the  scene  of 
his  tribulation  —  that  which  riveted  the  bonds 
upon  his  limbs.  But  it  was  home  so  far  as  it  waa 
the  abiding  place  of  his  friends,  —  not  those  who 


68  WATCH    AND     WAIT,     OB 

scourged  him,  whose  caprices  had  tormented  him: 
not  his  young  master,  not  his  old  master.  That 
delightful  poetry  which  paints  a  loving  slave  cling 
ing  fondly  to  the  master  that  scourges  him  had 
never  glowed  in  his  imagination.  Whatever  of  re 
gard  he  had  before  cherished  towards  his  master 
had  been  driven  from  his  heart  by  the  thongs  of 
the  slave  whip. 

He  had  friends  at  Redlawn,  —  the  gentle,  meek, 
and  patient  Lily,  —  the  wild,  rollicking,  mirthful 
Cyd.  They  were  his  friends,  indeed,  and  the 
thought  of  leaving  them  at  all  was  sad ;  the  thought 
of  leaving  them  in  bondage,  to  be  sold  and  scourged, 
was  intolerable.  While  he  was  thinking  of  them 
he  heard  a  slight  rap  at  the  door. 

"  May  I  come  in  ?  " 

It  was  Lily,  and  the  permission  was  promptly 
given.  The  clock  in  the  great  hall  below  had 
struck  eleven,  and  the  family  had  but  just  retired. 
She  had  been  waiting  all  this  time  to  pay  a  visit 
of  sympathy  to  the  sufferer. 

"  How  do  you  do,  Dandy  ? "  asked  she,  as  shs 
sat  down  in  a  chair  at  the  head  of  the  bed. 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  69 

"I'm  better,  Lily." 

"  I'm  very  glad.  I  wanted  to  come  and  see  you 
very  much,  but  I  was  afraid  to  do  so.  It  was  ter 
rible,  Dandy !  To  think  that  you  should  be 
whipped !  I  should  as  soon  have  thought  of  being 
whipped  myself." 

"  It  is  terrible,  Lily." 

"  What  did  you  do,  Dandy  ?  It  must  have  been 
some  awful  thing." 

The  sufferer  briefly  related  the  particulars  of  the 
event  at  Green  Point,  which  had  procured  him  the 
whipping.  Lily  expressed  her  horror  at  the  mean 
ness  of  Master  Archy,  and  poured  out  her  sympa 
thy  in  unmeasured  fulness  upon  her  friend. 

"  But  I  shall  not  be  here  long,  Lily,"  added 
Dandy,  in  a  whisper. 

"Why,  what  do  you  mean  ?"  asked  she,  amazed 
at  the  idea  of  resistance  in  any  form. 

"v'lll  y-. ''a  keep  my  secret,  Lily?" 

"You  kuow  that  I  will,  Dandy." 

"  I  mean  to  run  away." 

"Run  away!"  gasped  Lily. 

"  I  will  not  stay  here  another  month  if  I  can 
fielp  it." 


70  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OK 

"  But  where  will  you  go  ? " 

"  I  know  where  to  go,  and  how  to  go ;  and,  live 
or  die,  I  shall  make  the  attempt." 

"  And  you  will  be  free  ? " 

"  I  will,  or  I  will  die.  I  will  not  be  a  slave ! " 
said  he,  in  an  energetic  whisper. 

"  How  grand  it  would  be !  I  Avish  I  could  be 
free,"  sighed  Lily.  "  I  don't  know  what  will  be 
come  of  me  one  of  these  days." 

"  None  of  us  can  know." 

"If  I  were  a  man  I  should  not  fear  so  much. 
Master  was  offered  two  thousand  dollars  for  me  a 
year  ago." 

"  He  will  not  sell  you." 

"  Whether  he  does  or  not,  I  shall  be  miserable 
as  long  as  I  live.  I  often  wish  I  was  dead." 

"  Poor  Lily  !  "    sighed  Dandy. 

"  Can't  I  go  with  you,"  asked  she,  bending  over 
him,  and  whispering  the  words  into  his  ear. 

"  You,  Lily !  I  shall  go  to  the  swamps  first.  I 
may  have  to  live  with  the  alligators  for  months, 
perhaps  for  years." 

"  I  am  not  afraid  of  them.  If  you  will  let  me, 
I  will  go  with  you,"  added  she,  eagerly. 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  71 

"  I  shall  have  to  meet  hardships  and  dangers,  — 
more  than  you  could  bear." 

"  I'll  bear  every  thing,  Dandy.  I  will  help  you ; 
I  will  die  with  you." 

"Poor  girl!" 

"  I  would  bear  any  thing.  I  would  rather  live 
with  the  alligators  than  with  Miss  Edith.  You 
don't  know  how  much  I  have  to  bear,  Dandy." 

"  The  same  that  I  have  to  bear  from  Master  Ar- 
chy.  If  I  thought  you  could  stand  it,  Lily,  I  should 
be  glnd  to  take  you  with  me." 

"  I  can  stand  it,"  replied  she,  with  enthusiasm. 

"You  .shall  go,  Lily." 

"  Heaven  bless  you,  Dandy  !  " 

"  And  I'm  going  to  take  Cyd  with  me,  too,  if 
he  will  go ;  but  he  don't  know  any  thing  about  it 
yet." 

"When  shall  we  start?" 

"  I  don't  know ;  not  till  master  goes  a  hunting 
again.  I  will  tell  you  all  about  it  in  a  few  days." 

Lily  was  content  to  leave  every  thing  with  Dandy, 
in  whom  she  had  more  confidence  than  in  any  other 
person,  for  he  was  her  only  real  friend.  With  her 


72  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OK 

soul  full  of  new  emotions,  she  left  the  chamber  of 
the  sick  boy  just  as  the  clock  struck  twelve. 

Dandy's  great  purpose  now  assumed  a  new  sig 
nificance  ;  and  as  Lily  was  to  share  in  the  toils, 
privations,  and  dangers  of  the  enterprise,  a  new 
responsibility  was  imposed  upon  him. 

It  was  two  hours  more  before  his  exciting  thoughts 
would  permit  him  to  sleep.  His  wounds  had  ceased 
to  smart,  and  he  had  even  forgotten  his  flogging  in  the 
glorious  vision  to  which  it  had  introduced  him. 
And  when  he  slept  it  was  but  to  dream  of  the 
swamp  and  its  perils,  and  of  the  promised  land 
which  his  fancy  pictured  beyond  it. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  73 


CHAPTER    VII. 

THE    ISABEL    IS    PREPARED    FOR    A    CRUISE. 

AT  the  end  of  a  week  the  lacerated  flesh  of  poor 
Dandy  was  so  far  healed  that  he  again  discharged 
all  the  duties  of  his  position  near  the  person  of 
his  young  master.  The  flesh  was  healed,  but  the 
spirit  still  smarted  under  the  effects  of  the  whipping. 
"  Watch  and  wait,"  was  his  motto ;  and  though 
he  possessed  his  soul  in  patience,  he  kept  his  eyes 
and  his  ears  wide  open,  ready  to  seize  upon  the 
desired  opportunity  to  carry  out  his  great  resolution. 

The  season  most  favorable  for  shooting  had  ar 
rived,  and  Dandy  was  in  expectation  that  Colonel 
Raybone  would  order  the  preparations  to  be  made 
for  his  annual  excursion,  either  to  the  rivers  above, 
cr  the  lakes  below,  in  search  of  game.  Upon  this 
event  was  based  his  hope  of  making  his  escape. 

The  smiling  month  of  May  was  ushered  in  with 
7 


74  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

its  pleasant  days,  and  about  a  fortnight  after  his 
whipping  Dandy  had  the  satisfaction  of  hearing 
the  subject  broached.  The  excursion  was  a  matter 
of  considerable  importance,  for  the  planter  was 
generally  absent  two  or  three  weeks,  during  which 
time  he  and  his  party  lived  on  board  of  the  large 
sail-boat.  As  there  were  no  guests  at  Redlawn,  the 
people  wondered  who  were  to  be  the  colonel's 
companions. 

"  We  will  leave  on  Wednesday,"  said  the  planter 
to  his  son. 

"  Are  you  going   alone,  father  ?  " 

"  Certainly  not ;  you  may  go  with  me  for  one, 
and  you  may  take  Dandy  with  you.  Jake  and  Cyd 
shall  go  to  do  the  heavy  work." 

"  Who  else  ?  There  is  room  enough  in  the  cabin 
for  four." 

"  There  is  no  one  else  to  go.  So  we  shall  have 
the  more  room  ourselves,"  replied  the  planter,  as 
he  walked  away. 

Master  Archy  announced  to  Dandy  and  Cyd  that 
they  were  to  attend  the  party,  and  both  expressed 
their  satisfaction  at  the  privilege  accorded  to  them. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  75 

They  were  directed  to  put  the  Isabel,  which  was 
the  name  of  the  boat,  in  good  order  for  the  trip. 
She  had  to  be  thoroughly  washed  and  dried  that 
she  might  be  in  readiness  to  receive  her  stores  on 
the  following  day,  which  was  Tuesday,  and  they 
hastened  off  to  perform  their  task. 

The  Isabel  was  about  twenty-five  feet  long.  She 
was  very  broad  on  the  beam,  and  drew  but  very 
little  water  for  a  boat  of  her  size.  She  was  pro 
vided  with  a  centre  board,  and  worked  admirably 
on  the  wind.  She  had  been  built  expressly  for  the 
shallow  waters  of  the  lower  lakes. 

She  was  schooner-rigged,  and  could  carry  a  heavy 
press  of  sail,  which  the  light  winds  of  these  inland 
lakes  rendered  necessary.  The  cabin  was  twelve 
feet  long,  and  nine  feet  wide  at  the  broadest  part, 
and  contained  four  berths.  The  "  trunk,"  which 
was  elevated  about  fifteen  inches  above  the  deck, 
afforded  a  height  of  about  five  feet  beneath.  The 
berths,  which  extended  beneath  the  main  deck,  an 
swered  for  beds  by  night,  and  sofas  by  day. 

The  standing  room,  or  open  space  abaft  the  cabin, 
was  eight  feet  long,  with  cushioned  seats  on  three 


76  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 

sides.  Forward  of  the  cabin  there  was  a  "  stow- 
hold,"  four  feet  long,  in  which  the  fuel  and  furnaces 
used  for  cooking  were  kept.  Under  the  cabin  table, 
and  under  the  berths  and  seats  in  the  standing  room, 
were  a  plenty  of  lockers  for  the  reception  of  provis 
ions  and  other  articles  required  on  board. 

We  are  thus  particular  in  describing  the  Isabel, 
because  Dandy  and  his  friends  were  destined  to 
make  their  home  on  board  of  her  for  some  time. 
They  might  have  found  many  a  worse  dwelling  place 
on  shore,  for  the  boat  had  ample  accommodations 
for  them.  The  cabin  was  elegantly  fitted  and  fur 
nished,  and  there  was  every  thing  on  board  which 
could  be  needed  to  make  them  comfortable. 

While  Dandy  and  Cyd  were  cleaning  the  Isabel, 
the  former  boldly  announced  his  purpose  to  run 
away,  and  invited  his  friend  to  make  one  of  the 
party. 

"  Golly !  Dis  chile  go  for  sure  !  "  roared  Cyd,  dis 
playing  his  wealth  of  ivories,  and  dropping  his  scrub 
bing  brush  with  amazement  at  the  magnificence  of  the 
idea, 

"  Hush,  Cyd !  You  will  tell  every  one  on  the 
place." 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  77 

"  No,  sar  !  I  won't  tell  no  one  ob  it.  Dat's  de 
truf,  Dandy." 

"  Be  careful  then,  and  don't  speak  so  loud." 

"  But  where  you  gwine  ?  "  demanded  Cyd. 

"  I'm  going  into  the  swamp,  and  shall  stay  there 
till  master  thinks  we  are  all  dead.  Then  I'm  going 
to  run  down  to  the  sea,  and  get  on  board  of  some 
vessel  that  will  carry  us  to  the  free  states." 

This  prospect  was  rather  too  much  for  the  simple 
comprehension  of  the  unlettered  negro  boy,  and  he 
only  rolled  the  whites  of  his  eyes  in  mute  astonish 
ment. 

"  I've  studied  it  all  out,  Cyd,  and  I  know  where  to 
go,  and  how  to  get  there." 

"  Yes,  Dandy,  you  knows  ebery  ting,  and  I'll  foller 
you  to  de  end  ob  de  world — dat's  de  truf,"  added 
Cyd. 

"  And  Lily  will  go  with  us." 

"  Lily  ? " 

"  Yes  ;  now  keep  your  mouth  shut,  and  don't  look 
any  different  from  what  you  always  do." 

"  Golly  —  yes  ;  when  you  gwine  to  go,  Dandy  ?  " 

"  To-morrow  night.  Every  thing  will  be  put  op 
7* 


78  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

board,  ready  for  the  colonel  to  start  early  the  next 
morning.  Just  as  soon  as  all  the  people  in  the  house 
have  gone  to  bed,  we  will  meet  here,  and  go  on 
board." 

"  Den  I  shall  be  a  free  nigger  ?  " 

"  Yes,  if  we  get  off,  and  the  plan  works  well.  But 
you  must  be  very  careful," 

"  You  kin  trust  dis  chile,  Bandy.  You  knows  you 
kin." 

"  I  do,  or  I  should  not  have  made  you  my  com 
panion." 

Dandy  instructed  his  sable  friend  very  minutely  in 
the  duties  he  was  to  discharge  in  connection  with  the 
enterprise.  He  had  every  confidence  in  Cyd's  discre 
tion,  and  knew  that  he  would  rather  die  than  betray 
him. 

The  Isabel  was  carefully  cleaned,  and  left  to  dry 
in  the  bright  sunshine  of  a  clear  day.  The  next  morn 
ing,  the  steward  of  the  plantation  laid  out  the  stores 
which  were  to  go  on  board  ;  and  as  their  storage  was  a 
nice  matter,  Dandy  was  charged  with  this  duty.  He 
was  assisted  by  Archy's  boat  crew,  who  conveyed  the 
articles  on  board ;  and  before  sunset  the  boat  was 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  79 

ready  for  her  cruise.  Every  locker  was  filled  with 
meat,  vegetables,  crackers,  wines,  liquors,  fruits,  cakes, 
cordials  —  with  every  thing  which  could  contribute  to 
the  comfort  or  luxury  of  the  excursionists.  There 
•were  two  barrels  of  water  in  the  standing  room,  and 
the  choice  fowling  pieces  of  the  planter  and  his  son 
were  in  the  cabin,  with  a  supply  of  ammunition  suf 
ficient  to  destroy  half  the  game  of  the  parish. 

To  the  supplies  laid  out  by  the  steward,  Dandy  con 
trived  to  add  a  dozen  hams,  nicely  sewed  up  in  canvas 
bags,  and  several  kegs  of  crackers,  which  he  took 
from  the  store  room.  These  articles  were  stowed  in 
the  forward  cuddy,  and  concealed  beneath  the  fuel 
and  furnaces,  so  that  the  planter,  when  he  inspected 
the  boat,  might  not  discover  them.  Some  other  arti 
cles  were  placed  in  a  convenient  position  on  shore, 
that  they  might  be  taken  on  board  in  the  night. 

At  sunset,  Colonel  Raybone  went  off  to  the  Isabel, 
and  carefully  examined  every  part  of  her,  to  satisfy 
himself  that  there  had  been  no  omissions  in  her  outfit. 

"  You  have  done  very  well,  Dandy,"  said  the  plant 
er,  when  he  had  completed  his  inspection.  "  How 
many  hams  have  you  put  on  board  ?  " 


80  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 

"  Six,  sir,"  replied  Dandy. 

"  We  may  be  absent  five  or  six  weeks  ;  you  may 
put  in  six  more,"  added  Colonel  Raybone. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

He  also  ordered  an  additional  supply  of  smoked 
beef  and  tongues,  which,  of  course,  the  caterer  was 
glad  to  convey  on  board.  When  these  stores  had 
been  added  to  the  stock,  he  was  satisfied,  and  ordered 
Dandy  and  Cyd  to  be  on  board  by  six  in  the  morning. 

The  superintendent  of  these  operations  then  locked 
up  the  cabin,  and  went  on  shore.  Though  he  was 
burning  with  excitement,  he  managed  to  demean  him 
self  with  his  ordinary  coolness,  and  Cyd  looked  as 
immovable  as  a  statue. 

At  the  usual  hour  they  retired  to  their  several  rooms, 
but  not  to  sleep.  Dandy,  as  the  conductor  of  the  enter 
prise,  was  weighed  down  Avith  the  responsibilities  of 
his  position.  Though  he  had  done  every  thing  he 
could  to  insure  the  success  of  the  venture,  he  was  stil) 
burdened  with  a  feverish  anxiety  lest  something  had 
been  omitted,  and  with  the  dread  that  something 
might  happen  to  interfere  with  the  plan. 

There  were  many  things  which  might  intervene  to 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  8t 

thwart  his  purpose.  If  the  night  should  prove  to  be 
calm,  there  would  be  scarcely  a  hope  of  success  ;  for 
the  Isabel  was  so  large  that  the  two  boys  could  not 
row  her  far  enough,  before  daylight,  to  place  them  out 
of  the  reach  of  pursuit.  There  was  quite  a  fresh 
breeze  when  he  went  to  his  room;  but  he  trembled 
with  fear  lest  it  should  subside  before  he  could  take 
advantage  of  it. 

While  Miss  Edith  was  at  dinner  that  day,  he  had 
found  an  opportunity  to  whisper  his  purpose  into  the 
ear  of  Lily,  and  to  give  her  such  instructions  as  the 
occasion  required.  He  had  no  doubt  that  his  com 
panions  would  meet  him  on  the  pier  at  the  appointed 
time. 

Fortunately  for  the  success  of  the  plan,  the  family 
retired  at  an  earlier  hour  than  usual,  and  Dandy 
waited  with  impatience  till  the  stillness  of  the  house 
assured  him  it  was  safe  to  leave  his  chamber.  He 
then  tied  up  a  portion  of  his  clothing,  and  crept 
softly  down  stairs.  His  heart  beat  with  most  tremen 
dous  pulsations.  The  opportunity  for  which  he  had 
been  watching  and  waiting  had  come,  and  issues  more 
terrible  than  those  of  life  and  death  hung  upon  the 


82  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

success  of  the  enterprise.  If  he  failed,  if  he  was 
captured,  he  might  expect  the  auction  block,  for 
Colonel  Raybone  always  sold  a  servant  that  attempted 
to  run  away. 

The  destiny  of  poor  Lily  was  also  in  his  keeping, 
and  for  her  to  be  sold  was  to  be  consigned  to  a  fate 
worse  than  death  to  a  pure-minded  girl  —  a  fate  which 
both  of  them  were  old  enough  to  understand. 

"God  be  with  me  !  "  ejaculated  Dandy,  half  a  dozen 
times  before  he  left  his  chamber. 

It  was  all  the  prayer  he  ever  uttered,  but  it  was  an 
earnest  and  sincere  one. 

"  God  be  with  me,"  repeated  he,  in  a  whisper,  as 
he  closed  the  front  door  of  the  house  behind  him, 
and  with  stealthy  step  crept  down  to  the  pier. 

Cyd  was  already  there,  for  he  did  not  sleep  in  the 
great  house,  and  had  not  to  wait  the  movements  of 
the  family.  He  trembled  with  excitement  as  Dandy 
joined  him,  for  he  knew  the  fate  of  the  runaway  if 
he  was  caught.  They  immediately  brought  the  arti 
cles  which  had  been  concealed  down  to  the  steps,  and 
put  them  in  the  bateau,  which  was  used  as  a  tender 
for  the  Isabel. 


THE     YOTJXG     FUGITIVES.  83 

"  What's  dis  for  ? "  asked  Cyd,  as  he  deposited  two 
pots  of  paint  in  the  boat. 

"  Don't  ask  questions,"  whispered  Dandy,  earnest 
ly.  "  Not.  another  word,  or  I'll  leave  you.  Now, 
put  these  things  on  board,  and  mind  you  don't  make 
a  particle  of  noise." 

Cyd  obeyed  the  order  to  the  letter,  and  paddled  off 
to  the  sail-boat.  Every  thing  was  now  in  readiness 
for  their  departure,  but  Lily  had  not  yet  made  her  ap 
pearance.  Cyd  returned  to  the  shore,  and  they  waited 
half  an  hour,  but  the  lady's-maid  did  not  come. 

There  was  a  stiff  breeze  blowing,  and  Dandy  was 
impatient  at  the  loss  of  a  single  moment  of  precious 
time.  He  walked  up  to  the  house,  fearful  lest  some 
thing  had  happened  to  prevent  her  from  keeping  her 
appointment.  There  was  a  light  in  Miss  Edith's 
chamber,  which  explained  her  non-appearance ;  but 
he  could  not  think  of  going  without  her. 

When  his  patience  was  nearly  exhausted,  the  light 
was  extinguished.  Lily  soon  made  her  appearance 
on  the  lawn,  and  they  hastened  down  to  the  pier. 


84  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE    DEPASTURE    OF    THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES. 

"  DEAK  me  !  "  exclaimed  Lily,  when  Dandy  joined 
her  on  the  lawn  ;  "  I  am  frightened  out  of  my  senses." 

"  There  is  nothing  to  fear  yet,  Lily,"  said  her  con 
ductor,  as  he  took  her  by  the  hand  to  restore  her  con 
fidence.  "  The  wind  is  quite  fresh,  and  long  before 
we  are  missed  we  shall  be  out  _of  the  reach  of 
pursuit." 

"  I  am  frightened,  and  I  can't  help  it." 

"  You  will  feel  better  when  you  get  on  board  of  the 
boat.  You  shall  have  a  nice  cabin,  and  you  can  lie 
down  and  go  to  sleep  just  as  you  would  in  your  own 
chamber." 

"  I  don't  think  I  shall  sleep  much  to-night.  I  was 
afraid  I  should  not  be  able  to  join  you,  for  Miss  Edith 
had  the  headache,  and  made  me  stay  with  her  till  she 
could  go  to  sleep." 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  85 

"  We  are  all  right  now,  Lily.  Every  thing  is  as 
favorable  as  it  can  be.  We  have  nothing  to  fear  as 
long  as  the  wind  blows." 

Lily  had  very  little  practical  knowledge  of  boating, 
and  she  did  not  comprehend  the  allusions  of  Dandy  ; 
but  she  trusted  him  with  all  her  soul,  ant1  ,  ^en  he 
said  there  was  no  danger,  her  fluttering  heart  was 
calmed  down.  Before  they  reached  the  pier  she  had 
entirely  recovered  her  self-possession,  though  she 
could  not  help  being  deeply  impressed  by  the  im 
portant  step  she  was  taking. 

Cyd  was  seated  on  the  landing  steps,  whistling  the 
air  of  a  negro  melody,  as  cool  as  though  he  was  about 
to  engage  in  a  lawful  enterprise.  He  had  been  tre 
mendously  agitated  at  the  announcement  of  the  idea, 
and  when  he  decided  to  form  one  of  the  party  ;  but  he 
was  one  of  that  class  to  whom  exciting  events  soon 
become  an  old  story.  He  already  regarded  his  free 
dom  as  achieved,  and  he  had  even  made  himself 
familiar  with  his  new  social  condition. 

Dandy  handed  Lily  into  the  bateau  which  was  to 
serve  as  the  Isabel's  tender,  and  then  seated  himself 
in  the  bow. 

8 


86  WATCH     AJv'D     WAIT,     OR 

"  Come,  bear  a  hand,  Cyd,"  said  the  leader,  in  a 
low  but  sharp  tone. 

"  What  am  I  to  bear  a  hand  to  ?  "  demanded  Cyd. 

"  Jump  in  quick,  and  paddle  off  to  the  Isabel." 

"  Golly !  Is  dis  chile  got  to  row  de  boat  ?  Says  I, 
'  Cyd,'  says  I,  *  you's  a  free  nigger,  and  you  got  nuffin 
to  do  but  —  '  " 

"  Take  your  paddle  quick,  or  I  will  leave  you 
here  !  "  interposed  Dandy. 

Cyd  obeyed  this  time.  His  ideas  of  freedom  were, 
no  doubt,  derived  from  his  master  and  the  other  white 
people  at  Redlawn,  who  had  nothing  to  do  but  amuse 
themselves  and  order  the  negroes  round  the  place. 
They  were  very  crude  ideas,  and  he  was  yet  to  learn 
that  freedom  did  not  mean  idleness.  He  paddled 
the  bateau  off  to  the  sail-boat,  and  Lily  was  put  on 
board. 

"  Now,  haul  the  Edith  alongside,"  said  the  skipper, 
as  he  proceeded  to  unloose  the  sails. 

"De  Edif!"  exclaimed  Cyd.  "  Wha — wha  — 
what  you  gwine  to  do  wid  de  Edif?" 

"  Haul  her  alongside  !  "  replied  Dandy,  sharply. 
"  If  you  spend  the  night  in  talking,  we  shall  not  get 
off  till  morning." 


I 

THE    YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  87 

"  Hossifus  !  "    ejaculated   Cyd,   whose   vocabulary 

* 
being  rather  limited,  he  was  under  the  necessity  of 

coining  a  word  occasionally,  when  he  felt  the  need  of 
a  strong  expression.  "  Dis  nigger  tink  he  was  free, 
but  it's  Do  dis,  and  Do  dat.  Hossifus  ;  dis  chile  tink 
he's  only  got  a  new  massa  —  dat's  all,  for  sartin." 

"  If  you  don't  want  to  go,  Cyd,  you  needn't.  I 
will  put  you  on  shore,  and  go  without  you." 

"  Gossifus  !  Dis  chile  like  to  know  what  you 
gwine  to  do  widout  Cyd." 

"  I  shall  do  very  well  without  him.  Shall  I  put 
you  on  shore,  or  not  ?  " 

"  Possifus  !  No,  Dandy  ;  I'se  gwine  wid  you,  any 
how." 

"  Then  you  must  mind  me !  "  added  the  skipper, 
earnestly. 

"  I  done  do  dat." 

"  Haxil  the  Edith  alongside,  then." 

"  Sartin,  Dandy.  I'se  gwine  to  haul  de  Edif  along 
side,  but  dis  chile  like  to  know  what  for  ?  " 

"  Mind  me,  or  I'll  put  you  on  shore  !  "  cried  Dandy, 
angrily. 

"  Mosaifus  !     I'se  gwine,  Dandy,"  said  Cyd  as  he 


88  WATCH    ANP     ttAIT,     OR 

stepped  into  the  tender,  and  paddled  off  to  the  Edith, 
which  was  moored  a  short  distance  above. 

Presently  he  returned,  and  the  painter  of  the  race- 
boat  was  made  fast  to  a  cleat  on  the  quarter  of  the 
Isabel.  Cyd  was  much  mystified  by  the  operation, 
for  he  could  not  see  why  they  should  take  the  Edith 
with  them.  He  was  very  anxious  to  argue  the  point 
with  Dandy,  who,  it  seemed  to  him,  had  never  before 
in  his  life  been  so  sharp  and  ill-natured.  But  the 
skipper  was  too  much  excited  by  the  tremendous 
issues  of  the  hour  to  be  in  a  mood  for  argument. 

By  this  time  Dandy  had  cast  loose  the  sails,  and 
together  they  manned  the  halyards,  and  hoisted  the 
mainsail.  It  was  large,  and  the  fresh  breeze  caused  it 
to  flap  and  beat  with  a  fearful  noise,  which  added  not 
a  little  to  the  excitement  of  the  skipper. 

"  Stand  by  the  moorings,  Cyd,  and  have  your  jib 
halyards  ready  !  "  said  Dandy,  as  he  took  his  place  at 
the  tiller. 

"  Hossifus  !     I'm  dar,  Massa  Dandy." 
"  You  needn't  '  massa'  me,  Cyd.     Stop  ! " 
"Which   '11   I   do,    Massa    Dandy,    stand    by    de 
moorings,  or  stop  ? "  demanded    Cyd,  whose  ivories 


THE     YOTJNG     FUGITIVES.  89 

were    now    distinctly   visible    in    the    gloom    of    the 
night.  , 

"  Neither  ;  jump  into  the  bateau,  and  bring  the 
wherry  alongside,"  replied  Dandy. 

"  Gossifus  !  What  you  gwine  to  do  wid  de  wherry  ?  " 

"  Mind  me,  or  go  on  shore  !  "  said  the  skipper, 
sternly. 

"  I'se  gwine.  Golly  !  dat  makes  two  boats  apiece  all 
round,  for  sartin." 

"  Go,  quick  !  " 

"  I'se  gone ;  'pears  like  I'se  only  swapped  off 
Massa  Archy  for  Massa  Dandy." 

But  Cyd  obeyed  the  order,  and  brought  the  wherry 
to  the  side  of  the  Isabel,  to  which  she  was  secured, 
like  the  other  boats.  The  bewildered  boy  was  not  in 
the  habit  of  doing  his  own  thinking,  and  his  faculties 
were  not,  therefore,  very  fully  developed,  and  an  ex 
planation  would  have  relieved  him  of  a  world  of 
doubts  and  conjectures. 

"  Now,  have  your  jib  halyards  ready,  and  stand  by 
the  moorings,"  said  Dandy. 

"  Yes,  sar  !  "   replied  Oyd,  putting  a  wicked  cm- 
phasis  on  the  complimentary  part  of  the  answer. 
8* 


90  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OK 

"  Let  go  the  moorings ! "  shouted  Dandy,  as  he 
hauled  in  the  main  sheet. 

"  All  gone,  Massa  Dandy,"  replied  Cyd,  as  the 
heavy  rope  by  which  the  boat  was  secured  splashed 
into  the  water. 

"  Hoist  the  jib  !  "  added  the  skipper,  in  the  same 
loud  tones,  that  he  might  be  heard  above  the  noise 
of  the  flapping  sail. 

"  Up  she  goes,"  responded  Cyd,  joyously. 

The  Isabel,  released  from  her  moorings,  caught 
the  breeze,  and  the  voyage  of  the  young  fugitives 
was  commenced.  She  leaped  like  a  race-horse  be 
fore  the  fresh  breeze. 

"  We  done  gone  !  "  exclaimed  Cyd,  as  he  walked 
aft,  when  he  had  secured  the  jib  sheet. 

"We  are  off!"  replied  Dandy,  as  he  cast  an 
anxious  glance  in  the  direction  of  the  planter's 
great  house,  to  assure  himself  that  none  of  its  in 
mates  witnessed  their  departure. 

The  night  was  very  dark,  and  there  were  indica 
tions  of  a  storm.  It  required  all  the  skill  of  the 
bold  leader  of  the  expedition  to  steer  the  boat  in 
the  thick  gloom  of  the  night.  The  navigation  was 


THE    TOTING    FUGITIVES.  91 

difficult  and  dangerous.  The  bayou  was  filled  with 
snags  and  stumps,  and  to  strike  one  of  them  was 
to  dash  the  boat  in  pieces,  and  wreck  all  the  hopes 
which  hung  upon  the  success  of  the  enterprise. 
But  Dandy  was  thoroughly  acquainted  with  all  the 
difficulties  in  his  course,  and  was  so  familiar  with 
the  waters  of  the  bayou,  that  he  was  as  much  at 
home  upon  them  by  night  as  by  day. 

"  Hoist  the  foresail,   Cyd,"  said  the  skipper. 

"  Mossifus !  Dis  chile  tinks  de  boat's  gwine 
fas  enough,"  answered  Cyd,  "  but  I'se  gwine  to  do 
jus  what  you  say,  Massa  Dandy." 

"Do  it  then." 

Cyd  did  do  it  then ;  but  it  was  evident  to  the 
commander  of  the  Isabel  that  the  "  crew"  of  his 
vessel  was  in  a  lamentable  state  of  insubordination. 
All  his  orders  were  questioned,  and  the  boat  was 
liable  to  go  to  the  bottom  in  an  emergency,  because 
his  commands  were  not  promptly  obeyed.  He  was 
not  a  little  astonished  at  Cyd's  conduct,  for  in  the 
boat  of  Master  Archy  he  was  in  the  habit  of  obey 
ing  all  orders  like  a  machine,  never  presuming  to 
ask  a  question,  or  suggest  a  doubt. 


92  WATCH    AND    WAIT,     OK 

The  foresail  was  set,  and  the  Isabel  dashed  on 
with  increased  speed.  There  was  no  more  "  working 
ship "  to  be  done,  and  Cyd  again  took  his  place  on 
the  cushioned  seats  in  the  standing-room,  a  luxury, 
by  the  way,  in  which  he  had  never  before  attempted 
to  indulge  himself;  but  when  it  is  considered  that 
he  had  just  emerged  from  slavery  to  freedom,  his 
want  of  respect  for  the  dignity  of  the  "  quarter 
deck"  will  be  fully  excused. 

"  Go  forward,  Cyd,  and  keep  a  sharp  lookout 
ahead,"  said  Dandy,  as  soon  as  the  "crew"  was 
comfortably  seated  on  the  cushion. 

"  Gossifus !  I  suppose  I'se  a  nigger  still,"  said 
he.  "  Dis  chile  tinks  he's  jes  as  good's  any 
body  now." 

"You  are,  Cyd." 

"  Den  I  mus  squat  on  de  hard  deck,  and  you 
sets  on  de  cushions." 

"  Take  one  of  the  cushions  with  you,  if  you 
wish  to ;  but  go  forward  and  keep  a  sharp  look 
out." 

"  I'se  gwine." 

"Go,  then." 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  93 

"  Dis  nigger  don't  zackly  like  dis  kind  ob  free 
dom,"  growled  Cyd,  as  he  moved  forward. 

The  wind  was  about  south-west,  which  was  fair 
for  the  course  the  Isabel  was  then  steering,  and  in 
three  quarters  of  an  hour  she  made  Green  Point. 
Dandy  could  not  but  recall  the  events  which  had 
occurred  there  three  weeks  before,  for  they  had 
stimulated  him  to  the  daring  enterprise  in  which 
he  was  now  engaged.  It  was  there  he  had  resolved 
to  watch  and  wait  in  patience  and  submission  for  a 
less  perilous  opportunity  to  effect  his  escape  than 
that  which  he  had  now  embraced.  The  spot  was 
full  of  interest,  for  his  great  resolution  had  been 
born  there ;  but  the  moment  was  big  with  the 
destiny  of  the  whole  party,  and  he  could  not  stop 
to  indulge  in  sentimental  reflections. 

"  Stand  by  the  jib  sheet,  Cyd !  "  said  he,  as  the 
Isabel  swept  past  the  point. 

"Yes,  sar  —  all  ready!"  replied  Cyd,  who  had 
so  many  times  assisted  in  working  the  boat,  that  he 
was  perfectly  familiar  with  the  routine  of  a  foremast 

hand's  duty. 

» 
"Hard  —  lee!"  cried  Dandy,  as  he  put  the  helm 

down,  and  brought  the  Isabel  up  on  the  other  tack. 


94  WATCH    AND    WAIT,     OR 

Cyd  tended  the  jib  sheet  without  further  instruc. 
tion,  and  then  took  his  place  again  on  the  fore, 
castle  to  look  out  for  danger  ahead.  The  course 
for  the  next  five  miles  was  up  the  large  bayou,  of 
which  the  Crosscut  was  a  tributary.  It  was  lined 
on  both  sides  with  large  trees,  which  sheltered  the 
water,  to  some  extent,  from  the  force  of  the  wind, 
and  her  progress  was  less  rapid  than  before.  The 
navigation  was  less  obstructed,  and  Cyd  was  called 
aft  to  enjoy  the  luxury  of  the  cushioned  seats. 

Lily,  who  had  now  become  reconciled  to  her  situ 
ation,  also  joined  the  skipper  in  the  standing  room. 
The  hurry  and  excitement  of  the  departure  had 
passed  off,  and  the  load  of  anxiety  was  removed 
from  the  mind  of  Dandy. 

It  was  midnight,  dark  and  gloomy ;  but  the 
young  fugitives  felt  that  they  were  passing  from 
the  gloom  of  slavery  into  the  light  of  freedom. 
The  first  difficulties  of  the  enterprise  had  been 
overcome,  and  though  there  were  months  of  peril 
and  hardship  before  them,  it  seemed  as  though  the 

glorious    sun    of    the    new    existence    had    already 

« 

risen. 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  95 


CHAPTER     IX. 

THE     FUGITIVES     REACH     LAKE     CHICOT. 

THE  Isabel  moved  steadily  through  the  waters 
of  the  wide  bayou,  bearing  her  precious  freight 
farther  and  farther  from  the  plantation.  With 
every  mile  she  advanced,  the  hopes  of  the  fugitives 
grew  stronger.  Though  Dandy  alone  knew  the 
route  by  which  they  were  to  reach  the  land  of  free 
dom,  they  were  conscious  that  any  white  man  whom 
they  might  meet  would  arrest  them  as  runaways. 
Before  they  could  pass  out  of  the  limits  of  the 
state,  they  must  go  in  sight  of  many  plantations, 
where  they  were  liable  to  be  seen,  and  even  near 
two  or  three  villages. 

In  spite  of  the  perils  which  the  future  had  in 
store  for  them,  the  party  were  quite  cheerful.  Even 
Lily,  gentle  and  timid  as  she  was,  soon  became 
accustomed  to  the  novel  situation  in  which  she  was 


96  WATCH    AND    WAIT,     OB 

placed,  and  ceased  to  dread  the  pursuing  footsteps 
of  the  slave-hunters. 

"Do  you  think  we  shall  escape,  Dandy?"  asked 
she,  as  she  seated  herself  by  the  side  of  her  friend. 

"  I  expect  we  shall,"  replied  he,  unwilling  to 
kindle  too  strong  a  hope  in  the  mind  of  the  girl. 
"  If  we  manage  well,  we  have  a  good  chance." 

"I  hope  we  shall,  for  master  would  certainly 
sell  us  all  if  we  should  be  caught." 

"  Dat  ud  be  wus  as  staying  wid  Massa  Kun'l," 
added  Cyd.  "  But  I  s'pect  we  won't  be  caught, 
Massa  Dandy." 

"Why  do  you  call   me  master,   Cyd?" 

"  Dis   chile   tink  you  cutting  it  rader  fat." 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  that  ? " 

"  You'se  tell  me  do  dis,  and,  Cyd,  do  dat, — jes  as 
dough  dis  nigger  no  account  at  all." 

"I  am  in  command  of  the  boat ;  and  it  was  my 
duty  to  get  her  under  way.  When  I  told  you  to 
do  any  thing,  you  began  to  ask  questions." 

"  Dis  nigger's  free  now,"  replied  Cyd,  with  be 
coming  dignity. 

"Not  yet,  Cyd.  We  may  be  caught  at  any 
moment." 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  97 

"  Gossifus !    I  tought  I   was  free  now." 

"  What  made  you   think   so  ? " 

"  We  done  runr.ed  away  from   Massa  Kun'l. ' 

*'  He  may  catch  you   again." 

"  De  Kun'l  ain't  here,  no  how,  Dandy ;  'pose  I 
neber  see  him  any  more,  and  he  neber  see  me 
any  more,  who's  my  massa  den  ? " 

"  When  you  get  into  a  free  country,  you  will  be 
free," 

"  But  who's  my  massa  now?  Dat's  what  dis  chile 
want  to  know  for  sartin." 

"  You  have  no  master." 

"  Den  I'se  free,"  exclaimed  Cyd,  exhibiting  his 
ivories,  which  the  gloom  of  the  night,  increased  by 
the  deep  shadows  of  the  tall  trees,  was  powerless  to 
conceal.  "  I  tell  you,  I'se  a  free  nigger." 

Cyd  commenced  a  most  violent  demonstration  of 
satisfaction  as  he  contemplated  his  new  social  posi 
tion.  He  laughed,  kicked  with  his  heels,  sang  and 
danced.  He  felt  that  he  had  got  the  best  of  the  argu- 
tnent,  and  this  was  no  small  ground  of  rejoicing. 

"  Suppose  you  should  be  caught  ?  " 

"  Den  I  be  Massa  Kun'l's  boy  again." 
9 


98  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 

"  But  why  did  you  call  me  Massa  Dandy  ?  " 

"  Kase  you  order  me  round  jes  like  Massa  KunT, 
and  de  white  folks.  Dis  chile  begin  to  tink  he's 
your  nigger." 

"  You  are  just  as  good  as  I  am." 

"  Yes,  sar  ;  Cyd  knows  all  about  dat.  You  tell  me 
to  git  de  row  boat ;  den  to  git  de  wherry  ;  and  when 
I  ask  what  for,  you  tell  me  to  mind  my  own  business, 
and  not  ask  queshuns." 

"  It  was  because  we  had  no  time  to  spare,"  replied 
Dandy,  whose  feelings  were  injured  by  the  charge  of 
his  sable  companion. 

"Dat  may  be;  but  you  speak  to  me  jes  like  de 
•white  folks." 

"  I  didn't  mean  to  do  or  say  any  thing  that  would 
make  me  seem  like  a  master,  for  I  hate  the  very 
sound  of  the  word." 

"  Hossifus !  "  exclaimed  Cyd,  gratified  by  this  ac 
knowledgment.  "  I  done  tink  you  meant  to  be  my 
massa,  jes  like  de  kun'l.  If  dis  chile  jes  as  good 
you  be,  Cyd  can't  see  why  you  don't  tell  what  you  do 
dese  tings  for." 

*'  I  am  willing  to  tell  you  what  I  did  these  things 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  99 

for,  now  that  I  have  time  to  do  so.  But,  Cyd,  I  will 
change  places  with  you." 

"  Possifus  !     What  fur  ?  " 

"  You  shall  command  the  boat,  and  I  will  obey  all 
your  orders  without  asking  a  single  question." 

"  What,  Cyd  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Cyd,"  replied  Dandy,  earnestly.  "  Here, 
take  the  helm  !  " 

"  Gossifus  !     I  dunno  whar  you're  gwine." 

"  Very  well ;  I  will  give  you  my  map  of  the  coun 
try,  and  you  shall  find  the  way  for  yourself,  as  I  shall 
have  to  do." 

"  What  you  gib  me  ?  " 

"  The  map." 

"  What's  dat?" 

"  Here  it  is,"  replied  Dandy,  giving  him  a  small 
pocket  map  of  the  State  of  Louisiana,  of  which  he 
had  possessed^  himself  a  few  days  before  the  de 
parture. 

Cyd  took  the  map,  turned  it  over  two  or  three 
times,  and  could  not  make  out  its  use.  Lily  and 
Dandy  both  enjoyed  his  confusion,  for  it  was  a  great 
puzzle  to  him  to  know  how  they  were  to  find  their 


100  WATCH     AXD     WAIT,     OR 

way  through  the  swamp  by  the  aid  of  this  little  book, 
as  he  called  it.  A  lantern  was  lighted,  and  Lily  un 
folded  the  map,  and  spread  it  out  upon  one  of  the 
berths. 

"  Mossifus !  "  exclaimed  Cyd,  when  he  had  care 
fully  examined  the  map,  and  the  lantern  was  pru 
dently  extinguished.  "  I  don't  see  what  dis  paper 
far." 

"  It's  all  I  have  to  guide  me  to  the  ocean,  after  we 
have  passed  Chicot.  Now,  if  you  will  take  the  map? 
and  command  the  boat,  I  will  obey  you  in  all  things." 

"  Golly  !  I  don't  see  what  good  de  paper's  fur.  I 
kin  foller  de  norf  star." 

"  But  we  are  going  to  the  south." 

"  I  tink  I  will  stay  where  I  is,  and  you  shall  com 
mand  de  boat." 

"  Then  you  must  mind  me  at  once.  Our  very  lives 
may  depend  upon  your  prompt  obedience." 

"  I  will,  Dandy." 

"  Free  men  have  to  obey,  as  well  as  slaves.  On 
board  a  ship,  every  body  obeys  the  captain." 

"  What's  use  ob  bein  free,  den  ? " 

"  The  captain  of  the  ship  can't  sell  the  sailor,  not 


THE    YOUXG    FUGITIVES.  101 

separate  him  from  his  wife  and  children.  The  man  is 
paid  for  what  he  does,  and  when  his  voyage  is  up  he 
may  go  where  he  pleases." 

"  I  knows  all  about  it  now,  Dandy." 

"  I  don't  want  to  he  called  Dandy  any  more.  My 
name  is  Daniel,  but  you  may  call  me  Dan  for  short." 

"  Possifus  !  Den's  what's  my  name  ?  I'se  free  too, 
and  I  wan't  my  name  changed." 

"  Your  name  is  Thucydides." 

"  Tucydimes  !  " 

"  No,  Thucydides,"  laughed  Dan  —  for  we  will 
adopt  his  suggestion,  and  call  him  no  longer  by  his 
plantation  name. 

"  Hossifus  !  Hab  to  git  up  afore  breakfast  to  speak 
dat  word  in  season  for  dinner,"  chuckled  Cyd. 

"  You  are  called  Cyd  for  short,  as  I  am  Dan. 
There  is  nothing  bad  about  the  word." 

"  It's  a  very  good  name,  Cyd,"  added  Lily. 

"  Goshus  !  If  you  say  so,  Missy  Lily,  it's  all 
right.  If  it  suits  de  fair  seek,  it  suits  me,"  said  Cyd, 
shaking  his  fat  sides  with  satisfaction.  "  Dis  chile 
don't  keer  what  you  calls  him,  if  you  only  calls  him 
to  supper." 

9* 


102  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 

"  Now,  Cyd,  I  will  answer  the  questions  you  asked 
when  we  were  getting  under  way." 

"  Yes,  what  ye  got  all  dem  boats  draggin  arter  us 
fur?" 

"  Don't  you  see  the  reason,  Cyd  ?  " 

The  boy  scratched  his  head,  but  he  could  not  see. 
As  we  have  before  observed,  he  had  not  been  in  the 
habit  of  doing  his  own  thinking,  and,  consequently, 
he  was  not  skilled  in  reasoning  from  effect  to  cause. 

"  Suppose  we  had  left  the  boats,  Cyd,"  added 
Dan. 

"  Den  we  shouldn't  hab  em  wid  us,  keepin  de  boat 
back." 

"  At  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  Colonel  Raybone 
will  be  ready  to  start  on  his  trip.  He  will  go  down 
to  the  pier,  and  expect  to  find  us  all  there." 

"  Gossifus  !  we  shan't  be  dar !  "  exclaimed  Cyd, 
whose  imagination  was  lively  enough  to  enable  him  to 
picture  the  scene  that  would  ensue. 

"  What  then,  Cyd  ?  " 

"  Golly  !  Massa  Kun'l  up  and  rave  like  he  neber 
did  afore,"  replied  Cyd,  who  appeared  to  enjoy  the 
idea. 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  103 

"  Well,  what  then  ?  " 

"  Dunno.     He  can't  help  hisself,"  chuckled  Cyd. 

"  Suppose  we  had  left  the  boats  ?  " 

"  Mossifus  !  He  tell  four  stout  boys  to  git  in  de 
club-boat,  and  streak  it  down  de  riber  like  an  alliga 
tor  arter  a  possum.  Yah  !  ha,  ha !  "  roared  Oyd, 
holding  on  to  his  sides. 

"  Do  you  see  why  I  have  taken  all  the  boats  : " 

"  Yes,  Dandy — Dan  ;  I  sees  into  it  jes  like  a  mill 
stone.  You'se  got  a  long  head,  Dan.  But  what  ye 
gwine  to  do  wid  de  paint  ?  " 

"  We  shall  live  in  the  swamp  till  the  colonel  has 
done  looking  for  us.  This  boat  is  white  now,  and 
we  will  paint  her  green,  so  that  she  can't  be  seen  so 
easily." 

"  Dat's  good,  Dan  ;  but  de  kun'l  won't  stop  lookin 
fur  us  till  he  finds  out  something." 

"  I  mean  that  he  shall  find  out  something.  He  will 
suppose  that  we  have  gone  to  the  north.  He  will 
never  suspect  that  we  have  come  this  way.  Here  we 
are,"  said  Dan,  suddenly  rising  in  the  boat,  as  she 
came  to  a  narrow  opening  on  the  southerly  bank  of 
the  river. 


104  WATCH     AND     AVAIi,     OR 

Running  the  boat  up  to  the  bank  of  the  bayou,  he 
ordered  Cyd  to  make  her  fast  to  a  tree  on  the 
shore. 

"What's  gwine  to  be  done  now,  Dan?"  asked 
Cyd,  when  he  had  obeyed  the  order. 

"  We  shall  follow  the  big  river  no  farther.  Now,  I 
want  to  make  Master  Raybjne  think  we  have  gone  up 
that  way,  which  leads  to  the  Mississippi.  I  left  some 
papers  in  my  room,  which  will  convince  him  that  I 
intended  to  go  that  way.  Now,  Lily,  we  must  leave 
you  for  a  little  while,"  added  Dan,  as  he  drew  the 
bateau  alongside.  *'  We  will  not  be  gone  more  than 
an  hour." 

Dan  and  Cyd  got  into  the  bateau,  and  towed  the 
other  boats  about  two  miles  up  the  river,  where  they 
secured  them  in  such  a  position  that  they  seemed  to- 
be  abandoned.  When  the  search  for  them  was 
made,  these  boats  would  be  found  two  miles  from 
the  course  the  fugitives  had  actually  taken.  They 
then  pulled  back  to  the  Isabel,  and  got  under  way 
again. 

Their  course  was  now  changed,  and  the  boat 
passed  down  the  narrow  cut-off,  wMch  soon  widened 


THE    YOUXG    FUGITIVES-  lOo 

into  a  broad  stream.  The  wind,  which  had  been 
quite  fresh  when  they  started,  had  now  subsided  to 
a  gentle  breeze ;  but  as  the  country  was  more  open 
than  on  the  Big  River,  as  it  was  called,  they  still 
moved  along  at  the  rate  of  three  or  four  miles  an 
hour. 

At  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  —  Dan  had  a  silver 
watch  which  had  been  presented  to  him  by  Master 
Archy  —  they  reached  the  entrance  of  Lake  Chicot. 
It  was  about  daylight,  and  as  there  was  a  plantation 
on  the  western  bank,  it  was  not  deemed  prudent  to 
proceed  any  farther,  for  if  the  boat  was  seen,  it 
would  at  once  be  recognized  as  that  of  Colonel 
Raybone. 

The  westerly  side  of  the  lake  was  low,  swampy 
ground,  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  trees  and  an  un 
dergrowth  of  cane.  The  skipper  of  the  Isabel  ran  along 
this  shore  till  he  found  a  stream  flowing  into  the  lake. 
Hauling  up  the  centre  board,  he  ran  his  craft  into 
this  creek.  As  the  sails  would  not  draw,  being  shel 
tered  by  the  trees  and  cane,  the  two  boys  worked  the 
boat  up  the  stream  with  their  oars  till  she  was  com- 
pl  tely  concealed  from  the  opposite  shore,  or  from 


106  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 

the  lake,  if  any  boat  should  happen  to  pass  during 
the  day. 

Here  the  careful  skipper  intended  to  lie  until  tho 
friendly  shades  of  another  night  should  permit  them 
to  proceed  on  the  voyage  to  a  more  secure  haven. 


THE    YOUNG   FUGITIVES.  107 


CHAPTER   X. 

BREAKFAST     ON     BOABD     THE     ISABEL. 

"Now,  Cyd,  get  up  the  furnace,  and  make  a 
fire,"  said  Dan,  as  soon  as  the  sails  of  the  Isabel 
had  been  furled,  and  the  boat  carefully  secured  to 
a  tree  on  the  shore. 

"  Sartin,"  replied  Cyd,  as  he  took  off  the  hatch 
of  the  stow-hold.  "  Who's  gwine  to  be  de  cook, 
Dan?" 

"Do  you  know  how  to  cook,   Cyd?" 

"  Hossifus !    I  don't  know  nossin  at  all  'bout  it." 

"  Neither  do  I ;  and  I  think  Lily  does  not.  I 
will  try  my  hand  at  the  business  first.  We  can 
make  some  coffee,  boil  the  potatoes,  and  fry  the 
bacon.  I  am  sure  I  can  do  that." 

"  So  kin  Cyd." 

"  Just  as  soon  as  we  get  to  the  place  where  we 
are  going,  we  will  divide  the  work  between  us. 


108  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OS 

You  shall  be  cook  one  week,  and  I  will  the  next 
week.  Now  bring  up  the  bacon,  the  potatoes,  and 
the  coffee." 

Old  Jake,  who  was  to  do  the  cooking  for  the 
excursionists,  had  provided  every  thing  that  would 
be  needed  for  the  purpose.  In  a  short  time  the 
fires  were  blazing  in  the  two  furnaces,  the  coffee 
and  the  potatoes  were  boiling  upon  one,  and  the 
other  was  in  readiness  for  the  frying-pan,  when  the 
other  articles  should  be  in  a  sufficiently  forward 
state  to  require  its  use. 

Though  Dan  had  never  actually  turned  his  hand 
to  the  business  of  cooking,  he  had  so  often  seen 
the  various  operations  performed,  that  he  was  com 
petent  to  do  it  himself,  after  acquiring  a  little  expe 
rience.  He  was  a  keen  observer,  and  whenever  he 
saw  any  thing  done,  he  could  generally  do  it  him 
self. 

In  the  forward  part  of  the  cabin  of  the  Isabel, 
reaching  from  the  foremast  to  the  centre-board, 
was  a  fixed  table ;  and  while  Dan  was  cooking 
the  bacon,  Cyd  prepared  it  for  the  morning  meal. 
They  had  every  thing  which  could  be  found  in  any 


.     THE    YOVXG    FUGITIVES.  109 

well-ordered  house,  and  the  table  had  more  the 
appearance  of  that  of  a  first-class  hotel  than  one 
provided  for  the  use  of  the  runaway  slaves. 

"  Possifus  !  "  exclaimed  Cyd,  when  the  table  was 
ready,  as  he  sat  down  upon  the  berth  to  observe 
the  effect.  "  Dat's  bery  fine !  Cyd,  you'se  gwine 
to  set  down  to  dat  table.  You'se  a  free  nigger, 
now,  Cyd,  and  jes  as  good  as  de  best  ob  dem. 
Dar's  de  bread,  dar's  de  pickles,  dar's  de  butter, 
dar's  de  sugar,  dar's  de  milk,  dar's  de  salt,  dar's 
de  castor.  Gossifus  !  All  dat's  bary  fine,  and  Cyd's 
gwine  to  set  down  at  de  fus  table." 

"  Here,  Cyd,"  called  Dan,  through  the  sky-light, 
as  he  proceeded  to  pass  down  the  breakfast.  "  Put 
them  on  the  table." 

"  Mossifus  !  Do  you  think  Cyd  don't  know  what 
to  do  wid  dese  yere  tings  ?  I  knows  what  fried 
bacon's  fur ! " 

The  potatoes,  the  bacon,  and  the  coffee  were 
handed  down,  and  when  they  were  placed  upon 
the  table,  the  effect  called  forth  another  rhapsody 
from  Cyd.  While  he  was  apostrophizing  the  bacon 
and  the  potatoes,  he  was  joined  by  Dan. 
10 


110  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 

"Come,  Lily,"  said  he;    "breakfast  is  ready." 

"  Hossifus !  We  forgot  one  ting  for  sartin," 
exclaimed  Cyd,  suddenly  looking  as  sober  as  though 
he  had  not  a  friend  in  the  world." 

"What,  Cyd." 

"De  bell." 

"Bell?     What  do  we  want  of  a  bell?" 

"  To  call  de  folks  to  breakfas,  to  be  sure,"  re 
plied  Cyd,  distending  his  mouth  from  ear  to  ear. 

"  I  think  we  can  get  along  without  a  bell,"  re 
plied  Dan,  laughing  at  the  folly  of  his  companion. 

Lily  joined  the  boys  in  the  forward  cabin,  as 
they  called  the  space  forward  of  the  centre-board. 
She  looked  as  pleased  and  happy  as  Dan  and  Cyd ; 
and  one  would  hardly  have  believed,  from  their  ap 
pearance,  that  they  were  fugitives  from  slavery.  All 
the  talk  about  the  chilly  damps  of  the  swamp,  the 
perils  and  the  hardships  of  the  flight,  appeared  to 
have  been  forgotten.  The  planter  and  his  son 
could  hardly  have  been  more  jovial  than  the  party 
which  had  taken  possession  of  the  yacht. 

Cyd  was  not  accustomed  to  the  refinements  of 
social  life,  as  Dan  and  Lily  had  been,  and  he  be- 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  Ill 

gan  to  behave  in  a  very  indecorous  and  remarkable 
manner.  As  it  was  all  in  the  family,  Dan  ven 
tured  to  suggest  to  him  that,  as  he  was  now  seated 
at  a  gentleman's  table,  he  should  behave  in  a  gen 
tlemanly  manner,  and  not  eat  bacon  from  his  fin 
gers,  when  a  knife  and  fork  had  been  especially 
provided  for  this  purpose.  Cyd  accepted  the  re 
buke,  and  thereafter  imitated  the  manners  of  his 
companions,  even  carrying  his  ideas  of  gentility  to 
extremes. 

The  cooking  was  a  decided  success,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  the  coffee,  which  was  very  muddy  and 
uninviting.  This  was  not  strange,  inasmuch  as 
none  of  the  chemical  conditions,  upon  which  good 
coffee  is  produced,  had  been  complied  with.  It  was 
nothing  but  coffee  and  water  stewed  together.  Dan 
was  mortified,  and  apologized  for  the  failure. 

"  How  did  you  make  it,  Dan  ? "  asked  Lily,  with 
a  smile,  which  fully  spoke  the  offender's  pardon. 

"  I  put  the  coffee  in,  and  then  the  water,"  re 
plied  the  amateur  cook,  with  a  blush. 

"  Hot  water  ?  " 

"No,  cold." 


113  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 

Lily  laughed  aloud  at  this  blunder,  and  then  gave 
him  a  receipt  for  making  good  coffee,  which  in 
cluded  the  use  of  boiling  water  and  fish-skin. 

"  I  saw  that  fish-skin  in  the  locker,  and  I  couldn't 
think  what  it  was  for  ? "  laughed  Dan. 

But  the  breakfast  was  finished,  and,  in  spite  of 
the  drawback  of  poor  coffee,  it  was  pronounced 
satisfactory,  especially  by  Cyd,  whose  plantation 
rations  had  not  included  coffee,  butter,  white  bread, 
and  other  articles  which  graced  the  table  of  the 
Isabel. 

"  Now,  Dan  and  Cyd,  you  can  go  away  and  do 
what  you  please,"  said  Lily. 

"  We  will  clear  up  the  table  and  wash  the  dishes 
first,"  replied  Dan. 

"  No ;    I  am  going  to  do  that." 

"You,   Lily?" 

"  I  am  going  to  do  my  share  of  the  work.  I 
can't  manage  a  boat,  but  I  think  I  can  cook,  and 
take  care  of  the  cabin,  set  the  table,  and  do  every 
thing  that  belongs  to  the  women." 

"I  didn't  mean  to  have  you  work,  Lily,"  said 
Dan.  "  You  have  been  a  lady's-maid  all  your  life, 
and  never  did  any  work." 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  113 

"  Well,  I  know  how  ;  and  I'm  going  to  do  my 
•share.  I  should  not  feel  right  to  live  like  a  lady 
here.  I  mean  to  do  all  the  work  in  the  cabin,  and 
the  cooking  too." 

«'  No,  Cyd  and  I  will  do  that." 

"  Mossifus  !     Do  all  dat,  and  all  de  rest  too." 

"  I  must  do  something,  or  I  should  be  very  un 
happy." 

"  Well,  Lily,  you  shall  have  your  own  way  ;  and 
whib  you  are  clearing  off  the  table,  Cyd  and  I  will 
prepare  the  lady's  cabin." 

"  The  what  ?  "  asked  Lily. 

"  Your  cabin  ;  you  shall  have  a  room  all  to  your 
self." 

Dan  left  the  cabin,  followed  by  Cyd.  Taking  from 
one  of  the  lockers,  in  the  standing  room,  an  awning 
which  was  used  to  spread  over  the  forward  deck,  he 
unrolled  it,  and  proceeded  to  make  his  calculations, 
while  Cyd  stood  by,  scratching  his  head  and  wonder 
ing  what  was  going  to  be  done. 

The  cabin  of  the  Isabel  was  entered  by  two  doors, 
one  on  each  side  of  the  centre-board,  which  divided 
the  after  cabin  into  two  apartments.  Dan,  after 
10* 


114  WATCH     AND     WAIT,    OR 

measuring  the  cabin,  cut  the  awning  to  the  size 
required,  and  then  nailed  it  up  as  a  partition  between 
the  forward  and  the  after  cabin.  The  space  thus  en 
closed  formed  a  state  room,  six  feet  long  and  three 
feet  wide,  outside  of  the  berth.  This  room  could  be 
entered  only  by  the  door  from  the  standing  room.  It 
made  a  very  neat  and  comfortable  chamber,  and  Lily 
was  much  pleased  with  it. 

By  the  time  the  dishes  were  washed  and  put  away, 
there  was  considerable  gaping  among  the  party.  Cyd 
opened  his  mouth  fearfully  wide,  and  Miss  Lily's  eye 
lids  drooped,  like  her  fragrant  namesake,  when  its 
mission  on  earth  is  nearly  finished.  The  fugitives 
had  come  to  the  knowledge  that  they  had  slept  none 
during  the  preceding  night,  and  as  the  voyage  was  to 
be  continued  when  darkness  favored  the  movement,  it 
was  necessary  that  the  hours  should  be  appropriated 
to  slumber.  Lily  retired  to  her  new  state  room, 
closed  the  door,  and  was  soon  asleep. 

"  Now,  Cyd,  one  of  us  must  turn  in,"  said  Dan. 

"  Can't  we  bof  turn  in  ?  " 

"  Xo  ;  one  of  us  must  stand  watch  while  the 
other  sleeps.  We  have  been  getting  along  so 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  115 

finely,  that  we  have  almost  forgot  that  we  are  in 
danger." 

"  Possifus  !  "  gasped  Cyd.  "  Wha  — wha —  what 
you  want  to  keep  watch  fur  ?  " 

"  Suppose  any  one  should  come  upon  us  while  we 
are  asleep  ?  "  added  Dan. 

"  'Pose  any  one  come  'pon  us  when  we're  awake  : 
what  den?  Who's  a  gwine  to  help  hisself  ?  "  yawned 
Cyd. 

"  I  am,  for  one.  I  shall  not  be  taken,  if  I  can 
help  it." 

"  Gossifus  !  What  you  gwine  to  do  ?  'Pose  you  see 
de  nigger  hunter,  wid  tree,  four  dozen  bloodhounds  : 
wha  —  wha  —  what  you  gwine  to  do  den  ?  " 

"  I'm  going  to  fight !  And  you  must  do  the  same  !  " 
replied  Dan,  with  energy,  as  he  grasped  one  of  the 
fowling-pieces  that  lay  upon  the  bunk. 

"  Gwine  to  fight !  "  cried  Cyd,  opening  his  eyes 
with  astonishment.  "  Gwine  to  kill  de  dogs  and  kill 
de  men  ?  " 

"  That's  what  I  mean.  I  will  shoot  man  or  dog 
that  attempts  to  touch  me." 

"  Wha  —  wha  —  wha  —  "  stammered  Cyd,  as  he 


116  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OB 

always  did  when  excited ;  but  the  idea  was  too  big 
for  him  just  then,  and  he  broke  down  altogether. 

"  That's  a  settled  point,  and  you  must  learn  to  use 
a  gun." 

"Woo  —  woo  —  woo  —  would  you  shoot  Massa 
Kun'l,  if  he  come  for  to  take  you  ? "  demanded  Cyd. 

"  I  would,  or  any  other  man.  I  belong  to  myself 
now,  and  I  will  fight  for  my  own  freedom  to  the  last." 

"  I  dunno  'bout  dat,  Dan,"  mused  Cyd.  "  Hossifus  ! 
Shoot  Massa  Kun'l !  Dunno  'bout  dat." 

"  Turn  in,  Cyd,  and  go  to  sleep.  You  may  have 
the  first  chance." 

The  two  boys  drew  lots  for  the  choice  of  berths, 
and  Dan  obtained  the  after  one.  Cyd  was  soon  snor 
ing  in  one  of  the  forward  bunks,  while  Dan  took  his 
place  upon  deck  to  guard  against  the  approach  of 
man  or  beast  that  might  threaten  their  newly-acquired 
freedom. 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  Ill 


CHAPTER    XI. 

THE    BAY    OF    THE    BLOODHOUNDS. 

DAN  had  his  solitary  watch  for  four  hours,  with 
nothing  to  disturb  his  meditations  except  the  occa 
sional  visit  of  an  alligator  ;  but  as  the  ugly  reptiles 
did  not  offer  to  swallow  the  boat,  or  otherwise  interfere 
with  her,  the  lonely  sentinel  did  not  even  challenge  the 
intruders.  He  was  very  sleepy,  for  he  had  not  closed 
his  eyes  during  the  preceding  night,  and  his  great  pur 
pose  had  sadly  interfered  with  his  slumbers  since  the 
time  for  its  execution  had  been  fixed. 

It  was  one  o'clock  when  he  called  the  "  watch 
below."  Lily  was  still  wrapped  in  slumber,  worn  ouf 
by  her  sleepless  night,  and  by  the  excitement  of  her 
novel  position.  After  charging  Cyd  to  keep  awake, 
assuring  him  that  "  eternal  vigilance  was  the  price  of 
liberty,"  Dan  went  into  the  cabin  to  obtain  the  rest 
he  so  much  needed.  He  slept  soundly,  and,  no  doubt, 


118  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 

dreamed  strange  things ;  but  when  he  awoke  it  was 
nearly  dark.  Starting  up  with  a  spring,  he  bounded 
to  the  deck,  where  he  found  Cyd  fast  asleep  upon  the 
cushions  of  the  standing  room. 

"  Cyd  ! "  exclaimed  he,  seizing  the  faithless  sentinel 
by  the  collar.  "  Is  this  the  way  you  keep  watch  ?  " 

"  Possifus !  "  ejaculated  Cyd,  as  he  sprang  to  his 
feet.  "  I  done  been  asleep." 

"  Been  asleep  !  I  should  think  you  had !  Have 
you  been  snoring  there  all  the  afternoon  ?  " 

"  No,  sar  !  Dis  chile  hain't  been  asleep  more'n  two 
minutes  — no,  sar,  nor  more'n  a  minute  and  a  half." 

"  Yes,  you  have  ;  you  have  been  asleep  all  the  af 
ternoon.  You  deserve  to  be  a  slave  all  the  rest  of 

/ 
your  life  !  "  added  Dan,  indignantly. 

"  Gossifus  !  I  tink  not.  Wha  —  wha  —  wha  — 
what  does  you  mean  by  dat  ?  "  stuttered  Cyd. 

"  How  dared  you  go  to  sleep  when  you  were  on 
watch  ?  " 

"  I  tell  you,  Dan,  Fse  been  wide  awake  all  de 
arternoon.  Hadn't  been  asleep  quite  two  minutes." 

"  He  hasn't  slept  long,  Dan,"  said  Lily,  as  she 
came  out  of  the  cabin  ;  "  for  I  was  with  him  only  a 
little  while  ago." 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  119 

"  I'm  glad  of  it,  if  he  hasn't,"  added  Dan,  more 
calmly. 

"  You  kin  het  yer  life  dis  chile  don't  go  to  sleep 
on  de  watch.  No,  sar  !  " 

"  But  you  did  go  to  sleep,  Cyd.  You  were 
asleep  when  I  came  on  deck." 

"  I  jes  close  my  eyes  for  a  minute,  but  I  was  jes 
gwine  to  wake  up  when  you  corned  on  deck." 

"  I  can't  keep  awake  all  the  time ;  I  must  sleep 
some." 

"  Bout  six  hours,"  chuckled  Cyd ;  and  his  com 
panion  had  really  slept  about  this  time. 

"  Why  didn't  you  call  me  then,  as  I  did  you  ? " 

"  I  told  him  not  to  do  so,  Dan,"  interposed 
Lily,  whose  sweet  smile  was  sure  to  remove  any 
objection  which  Dan  might  have.  "  We  ate  our 
supper  about  an  hour  ago.  Cyd  was  going  to  call 
you,  but  I  wouldn't  let  him.  I  knew  how  tired 
you  were,  and  you  will  not  have  any  chance  to 
sleep  to-night." 

"  It  was  very  kind  of  you,  Lily,"  said  Dan. 
with  a  smile.  "  But  I  must  teach  Cyd  not  to  sleep 
when  he  is  on  watch.  Any  carelessness  of  this 
kind  might  spoil  every  thing." 


120  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 

"  I  never'll  go  to  sleep  on  de  watch  agin,  so  help 
me  Possifus ! "  exclaimed  Cyd,  now  fully  impressed 
by  the  magnitude  of  his  criminal  neglect. 

"  I'll  answer  for  him,"  said  Lily ;  "  I'll  stay  on 
deck  and  keep  him  awake  next  time." 

"  O,  no,  you  needn't,  Lily." 

"  But  why  can't  I  keep  watch  in  the  daytime, 
and  let  both  of  you  sleep  ?  If  there  was  any  dan 
ger  I  could  call  you." 

"  I  don't  mean  to  ask  you  to  keep  watch,  or  do 
any  such  work.  It  is  not  a  woman's  place." 

"  I  mean  to  take  my  turn  next  time,"  said  she, 
resolutely.  "  Now,  Dan,  I  will  get  your  supper. 
Cyd  and  I  ate  bread  and  butter,  and  drank  cold 
water ;  but  if  you  are  going  to  sail  the  boat  all 
night,  you  will  want  some  tea." 

"  Thank  you,  Lily ;  you  are  very  kind.  I  will 
get  the  tea  myself." 

"  No,  you  shall  not.  I  am  not  going  to  be  idle 
all  the  time.  I  mean  to  do  my  share  of  the  labor. 
If  it  isn't  a  woman's  work  to  keep  watch,  it  is  to 
get  tea ;  and  if  you  please,  I  will  do  it  myself." 

My    young    readers     will    remember    that    Lily, 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  121 

though  a  slave  girl,  was  a  gentle,  delicate  creature. 
She  had  never  done  any  manual  labor.  She  had 
simply  stood  by  her  young  mistress,  fanned  her 
when  she  was  warm,  brushed  away  the  flies,  handed 
her  a  book,  or  other  article,  when  she  wanted  it, 
picked  up  her  handkerchief  when  she  dropped  it, 
and  assisted  at  her  toilet.  If  Miss  Edith  -needed 
any  greater  exertion  of  bone  and  muscle,  another 
person  was  called  to  render  the  service.  But  she 
had  been  about  the  kitchen  and  work  rooms  of  the 
plantation,  and  having  a  taste  for  the  various  house 
keeping  operations,  she  had  incidentally  acquired 
some  little  skill  in  cooking,  needle-work,  and  other 
branches  of  female  industry. 

Her  form  was  agile  and  graceful,  her  organiza 
tion  delicate ;  and  no  person,  even  with  a  knowl 
edge  of  her  social  condition,  and  rankly  imbued 
with  southern  prejudices,  could  have  denied  that 
she  was  beautiful  in  form  and  feature.  Her  com 
plexion  was  fairer  than  that  of  a  majority  of  Anglo- 
Saxon  maidens.  Her  eye  was  soft,  and  sweetly  ex 
pressive.  Such  was  Lily,  the  slave  girl  of  Redlawn ; 
and  when  she  talked  of  performing  the  drudgery 
11 


122  WATCH     AXD     WAIT,     OR 

of  the  Isabel,  Dan,  with  that  chivalrous  considera 
tion  for  the  gentler  sex  which  characterizes  the  true 
gentleman,  resented  the  idea.  He  preferred  to 
labor  day  and  night,  rather  than  permit  her  to 
soil  her  white  hands  with  the  soot  of  the  furnaces. 

Lily,  as  we  have  seen,  had  wiser  and  more  sensi 
ble  ideas  on  the  subject.  She  had  an  instinctive 
contempt  for  that  sort  of  chivalry,  and  in  spite  of 
the  remonstrances  of  the  knightly  skipper  of  the 
Isabel,  she  kindled  a  fire,  and  with  the  assistance 
of  Cyd,  soon  placed  the  tea  and  bread  and  butter 
upon  the  cabin  table.  She  then  took  her  place  at 
the  head  of  the  board,  and  "did  the  honors"  with 
an  elegance  and  grace  which  would  have  adorned 
the  breakfast  parlor  at  Redlawn.  Though  Cyd  had 
been  to  supper,  he  accepted  the  invitation  to  repeat 
the  operation. 

Before  the  meal  was  commenced,  it  was  necessary 
to  light  the  cabin  lantern,  which  swung  over  the 
table.  Whether  there  is  any  exhilaration  in  a  cup 
of  tea  or  not,  the  party  soon  became  very  cheerful : 
and  Cyd  was  as  chipper  as  though  he  were  in  the 
midst  of  the  Christmas  holidays. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  123 

After  supper  Dan  took  the  bateau,  and  pulled 
out  to  the  lake,  to  reconnoitre  the  position,  and 
assure  himself  that  there  were  no  obstacles  to  the 
departure  of  the  Isabel.  When  he  returned,  Lily 
had  washed  the  dishes  and  put  the  cabin  in  order, 
thus  carrying  her  point,  and  establishing  herself  as 
mistress  in  this  department.  Dan  did  not  deem  it 
prudent  to  start  so  early  in  the  evening ;  but  the 
sails  were  hoisted,  and  every  thing  made  ready  for 
the  departure. 

The  wind  was  light,  and  the  leader  of  the  expedi 
tion  had  some  doubts  about  starting  at  all  that 
bight.  The  Isabel  had  made  only  about  twenty 
miles  during  the  preceding  night,  with  a  strong 
breeze  to  help  her  during  a  portion  of  the  time. 
He  had  carefully  studied  the  maps  in  his  posses 
sion,  and  estimated  the  distances  by  the  scale  be 
tween  the  various  points.  He  knew  exactly  where 
he  intended  to  go,  and  a  failure  to  reach  the  place 
before  daylight  would  expose  him  to  the  risk  of 
being  seen  from  some  of  the  plantations  on  the 
banks  of  the  lake. 

The  responsibility  of  deciding  this  important  ques- 


124  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OB 

tion  rested  upon  him  alone.  The  distance  to  be 
accomplished  before  they  could  reach  another  place 
of  security  was  about  twenty-five  miles.  An  aver 
age  of  three  miles  an  hour  would  enable  him  to 
complete  the  passage  by  sunrise,  and  he  at  last 
decided  to  attempt  it. 

About  nine  o'clock  the  two  boys  got  into  the 
bateau,  and  towed  the  Isabel  out  of  the  creek,  and 
with  gaff-topsails  and  stay-sail  set,  in  addition  to 
the  jib,  fore,  and  main  sails,  the  voyage  was  re 
newed.  Keeping  as  near  the  western  shore  of  the 
lake  as  it  was  prudent  to  go,  the  boat  glided  gently 
over  the  tranquil  waters. 

In  a  couple  of  hours  the  Isabel  reached  the  nar 
row  outlet  of  the  lake.  Thus  far,  the  south-westerly 
wind  had  enabled  her  to  run  with  a  free  sheet ;  but 
at  this  point  the  course  changed,  and  Dan  found 
that  he  should  be  compelled  to  beat  dead  to  wind 
ward  in  order  to  reach  his  destination.  Then  he 
wished  he  had  not  started;  but  up  the  creek  he 
had  been  unable  to  determine  from  what  direction 
the  light  breeze  came,  and  had  decided  the  question 
to  the  best  of  his  ability. 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  125 

Though  he  had  no  reason  to  reproach  himself 
for  his  want  of  care,  the  situation  was  none  the 
less  difficult  or  trying  on  that  account.  But  there 
was  one  compensating  advantage :  as  he  passed 
through  the  narrow  outlet  of  the  lake,  the  broad  sur 
face  of  the  Chetemache  was  before  him.  It  was  forty 
miles  long  by  ten  miles  wide,  and  aiforded  him  abun 
dant  space  in  which  to  work  the  boat.  And  in  this 
open  sea  the  wind  came  unobstructed  to  his  sails. 

The  course  of  the  Isabel,  on  her  first  tack,  lay 
close  to  the  eastern  shore  of  the  lake.  The  boat 
moved  very  slowly  through  the  water,  and  Lily  and 
Cyd  sat  by  the  side  of  the  skipper,  talking  in  low 
tones  of  the  future,  with  its  hopes  and  its  trials, 
its  joys  and  its  dangers.  Suddenly  they  heard  a 
crackling  sound  in  the  cane-brake  near  them  ;  then 
came  from  a  greater  distance  the  bay  of  bloodhounds. 
There  was  no  mistaking  these  sounds ;  and  for  an 
hour  they  listened  in  almost  breathless  anxiety  to 
these  appalling  indications  of  a  slave-hunt. 

The  yelp  of  the  dogs  came  nearer  and  nearer ; 
but  they  had  lost  the  sounds  which  indicated  the 
presence  of  the  hunted  fugitive. 


126  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OB 

"  Gossifus ! "  whispered  Cyd,  for  he  had  been 
forbidden  to  speak  a  loud  word.  "  Where  you  'pose 
de  nigger  dem  dogs  is  chasin'  is  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know.  I  pray  that  he  may  escape/1 
replied  Dan. 

"  Can't  you  help  him  ?  "  asked  Lily,  whose  frame 
shook  with  terror,  as  her  fancy  pictured  the  terrible 
scene  which  she  had  so  often  heard  described. 

A  splash  in  the  water  a  hundred  yards  astern  of 
the  Isabel  now  attracted  the  attention  of  the  party. 

"  Can't  you  help  him  ? "  repeated  Lily,  in  trem 
bling  tones. 

"  It  will  not  be  safe  for  us  to  show  ourselves,  fo^ 
the  human  bloodhounds  are  not  far  oft'." 

"  Do  help  him  if  you  can.  Save  him  from  thos*» 
terrible  dogs  !  "  pleaded  Lily. 

"  He  will  swim  to  that  island,"  said  Dan.  "  Per 
haps  the  dogs  will  not  catch  him." 

"Yes,  they  will." 

"  Yes,  dey  will.  Dey  done  leap  in  de  watef^ 
Dar  dey  go ! "  added  Cyd,  as  they  listened  to  the 
splashes  as  the  brutes  sprang  into  the  lake. 

"  Save  him !     Save  him,  Dan  !  "    cried  Lily. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  127 

"  It  may  cost  us  our  lives  and  our  liberty,"  re 
plied  Dan. 

"  No  matter.  Let  us  die  if  we  can  save  the 
poor  man  from  the  fangs  of  the  bloodhounds." 

"  I  will,  Lily,"  replied  Dan,  as  he  put  the  Isabel 
about,  and  headed  towards  the  small  island,  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  shore.  "  Take  the  helm,  Cyd," 
continued  he,  as  he  left  his  post  at  the  tiller,  and 
rushed  into  the  cabin. 

He  returned  in  a  moment  with  two  fowling- 
pieces  in  his  hands,  and  proceeded  to  load  them. 
By  this  time  the  panting  fugitive  was  distinctly  seen, 
closely  pursued  by  the  dogs. 


128  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 


CHAPTER    XII. 

QUIN,     THE     KUNAWAY. 

DAX  had  loaded  the  fowling-pieces  with  buck 
shot.  Though  not  a  s:ood  marksman,  he  had  some 
experience  in  the  use  of  arms,  and  felt  fully  compe 
tent  to  cut  off  the  bloodho.unds  before  they  could 
pounce  upon  their  human  prey.  Leaving  Cyd  at 
the  helm,  he  went  forward  and  stationed  himself  at 
the  heel  of  the  bowsprit. 

The  dogs  were  better  swimmers  than  the  fugitive, 
and  were  rapidly  gaining  upon  him,  for  the  poor 
creature's  limbs  seemed  to  be  partially  paralyzed  by 
the  appalling  danger  that  menaced  him.  The  Isabel 
was  approaching  the  scene  of  this  exciting  race 
with  a  rapidity  which  promised  soon  to  terminate 
the  affair. 

Dan  immediately  obtained  a  correct  idea  of  the 
relative  positions  of  the  do^  and  the  man.  His  ob- 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  129 

ject  was  to  run  the  boat  between  them,  and  thus 
cut  cff  the  savage  beasts  from  their  prey. 

"  Luff  a  little,   Cyd,"  said  he. 

"  Luff  'em  'tis,"  replied  the  helmsman,  who  was 
boatman  enough  to  understand  the  nautical  phrase, 
and  even  to  handle  the  craft  under  the  direction  of 
a  more  skilful  skipper." 

"  Steady  as  she  is." 

"  See  here,  Dan.  Is  you  gwine  to  shoot  ? " 
asked  Cyd. 

"  Certainly  I  am.  What  do  you  suppose  I  got 
the  guns  for  ?  " 

"  Possifus !     What  you  gwine  to  shoot?" 

"The  dogs,  of  course.  Luff  a  little  —  luff!  You 
are  letting  her  fall  off." 

"  Luff  'em  'tis.  See  here,  Dan.  You  be  mighty 
keerful  you  don't  hit  de  nigger." 

"  Silence,  now,  and  mind  your  helm !  You  are 
steering  wild." 

Cyd  had  so  far  improved  in  the  cultivation  of  the 
quality  of  obedience  on  shipboard,  that  he  did  not 
speak  again,  but  he  was  fearfully  excited  by  the 
stirring  scene  which  was  transpiring  near  him. 


130  \VATCH     AXD     WAIT,     OK 

Dan  was  not  less  moved,  though  his  cool  determina 
tion  produced  a  different  manifestation  of  his  feel 
ings.  He  was  conscious  of  the  danger  to  which 
his  interference  in  the  hunt  subjected  him.  There 
were  probably  several  slave-hunters  on  the  track  of 
the  fugitive.  The  Isabel  would  be  seen  by  them, 
and  possibly  be  recognized,  which  would  certainly 
bring  pursuers  upon  her  track. 

But  it  was  not  in  his  nature  to  permit  his  suffer 
ing  fellow-creature,  in  this  unequal  strife,  to  be 
conquered  by  his  human  and  brute  antagonists. 
The  appeal  of  the  gentle  Lily  had  been  addressed 
to  a  sympathi/.ing  heart,  and  he  entered  with  all 
his  soul  upon  the  task  of  saving  the  slave  from 
the  fangs  of  his  pursuers. 

The  Isabel  had  now  come  within  a  few  yards  of 
the  dogs  and  their  prey.  The  time  for  action  had 
come.  Dan  was  fully  sensible  of  the  great  crime, 
as  the  southern  slave  law  regarded  it,  of  shooting 
a  "nigger  dog;"  but  with  a  steady  hand,  though 
his  heart  bounded  with  exciting  emotions,  he  raised 
the  gun  to  his  shoulder,  and  taking  deliberate  aim 
at  the  nearest  hound,  he  fired.  The  brute  gave  a 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  131 

deep  yell,  and  for  some  time  continued  to  splash 
about  in  the  water. 

"  Don't  shoot  me,  massa !  Don't  shoot  me,  and 
I'll  gib  myself  up,"  cried  the  fugitive,  who  seemed 
to  have  heard  the  report  of  the  gun,  without  observ 
ing  the  effect  which  the  shot  had  produced. 

"  I  mean  to  save  you,"  replied  Dan,  as  he  lev 
elled  the  gun  at  another  of  the  dogs ;  but  this  time 
he  missed  his  aim,  and  the  hound  continued  to 
swim  towards  the  negro. 

"  Luff  a  little  more,"  said  Dan  to  Cyd,  as  the 
boat  came  between  the  man  and  the  dogs. 

"  Luff  'em  'tis." 

As  the  boat  now  divided  the  dogs  from  their  prey, 
Dan  did  not  again  load  the  guns ;  but  seizing  the 
boat-hook,  he  gave  the  foremost  hound  a  knock  on 
the  head,  which  caused  him  to  retreat,  howling 
with  pain. 

"  Swim  this  way,"  cried  Dan  to  the  negro.  "  I 
will  save  you." 

"  Yes,  sar,"  gasped  the  negro,  whose  breath  was 
nearly  exhausted  by  the  hard  struggle  through  which 
he  had  just  passed. 


132  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

As  the  Isabel  luffed  up,  the  fugitive  came  along 
side,  and  Dan  assisted  him  to  climb  upon  the 
deck. 

"  O  Lord ! "  groaned  he,  as  he  threw  himself  at 
full  length  upon  the  forecastle. 

"  Poor  fellow ! "  sighed  Lily,  who  ran  forward  to 
see  the  sufferer  as  soon  as  he  was  hauled  on  board. 
"  What  can  we  do  for  him  ?  " 

"  He  needs  rest.  He  is  all  worn  out.  He  may 
have  run  for  miles  before  he  took  to  the  water." 

"  Can't  we  give  him  something  ?  There  is  some 
cold  tea  in  the  cabin." 

"  I  will  get  him  something,"  added  Dan ;  and 
he  ran  aft  and  entered  the  cabin. 

He  returned  in  a  moment  with  a  bottle  and  a 
tumbler.  The  fugitive  still  lay  upon  the  deck, 
panting  and  groaning  like  a  dying  gladiator  after 
the  mortal  struggle  of  the  arena.  Freedom  was 
worth  the  exertion  he  had  made,  though  every  fibre 
in  his  frame  had  been  strained.  He  had  manfully 
fought  the  battle,  though  without  the  interference 
of  our  party  he  would  certainly  have  lost  the  day. 
Dan  poured  out  a  tumblerful  of  the  wine  which 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  133 

tlie  bottle  contained,  and  placed  it  at  the  lips  of 
the  sufferer.  He  eagerly  drank  off  the  draught, 
and  sank  back  upon  the  deck. 

"  He  will  be  better  soon.  He  is  all  out  of 
breath,"  said  Dan,  as  he  brought  one  of  the  cush 
ions  from  the  standing  room  and  put  it  under  the 
poor  man's  head. 

"  Gossifus !  "  shouted  Cyd,  who  still  retained  his 
position  at  the  helm,  though  his  interest  in  the 
scene  of  the  forward  deck  caused  him  to  steer  very 
badly.  "  Hossifus  !  "  added  he,  in  gasping  tones; 
"  de  dogs !  de  dogs !  " 

"  What's  the  matter,  Cyd  ?  "    demanded  Dan. 

"  De  dogs !  Dey  done  eat  dis  chile  all  up ! 
Dey  won't  leabe  de  ghost  ob  a  grease-spot  luff  of 
dis  nigger ! "  cried  Cyd,  in  mortal  terror. 

"  Mind  how  you  steer,  then ! "  replied  Dan,  has 
tening  to  the  assistance  of  his  terrified  companion. 
"  Don't  you  see  you  have  thrown  her  up  into  the 
wind,  so  that  the  sails  don't  draw  a  bit !  " 

"  Mossifus  !  dis  chile  doa't  wan't  to  be  food  foi 
de  dogs." 

"  You  will  be,  if  you  don't  mind  what  you  ar« 
12 


134  WATCH    AND    WAIT,     OR 

about,"  said  Dan,  as  he  took  the  tiller ;  and  putting 
it  up,  the  boat  gathered  fresh  headway,  and  soon 
shot  out  of  reach  of  the  bloodhounds. 

"  Why  don't  you  shoot  de  wicked  dogs  ?  " 

"  I  don't  want  any  more  noise.  I  hate  the  dogs 
as  bad  as  .you  do,  but  we  must  be  careful,"  replied 
Dan.  "  Now,  can  you  mind  what  you  are  about, 
and  keep  the  sails  full." 

"  Dis  chile  kin  do  dat,  for  sartin." 

"  If  you  don't  the  dogs  will  have  you.  Now,  be 
careful,  and  I  will  go  forward,  and  take  care  of  the 
poor  fellow,  who  is  nearly  dead.  Watch  the  sails ; 
never  mind  the  dogs ;  they  can't  catch  you,  if  you 
sail  the  boat  properly." 

"  You  kin  trus  dis  chile  for  dat.  Cyd  isn't  afeerd 
ob  notin,  only  he  don't  want  to  be  eat  up  by  de 
wicked  dogs." 

Dan  went  forward,  where  Lily  was  bending  ovei 
the  panting  runaway,  rubbing  his  temples,  and 
speaking  sweet  words  of  hope  and  comfort  to  him. 
In  a  short  time  he  was  in  some  measure  recovered 
from  the  effects  of  his  fearful  struggle  with  the  fate 
that  beset  him. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  135 

"  I  was  sure  I  was  caught,  when  I  saw  de  boat," 
said  he,  as  he  raised  himself  to  a  sitting  posture, 
and  gazed  with  astonishment  at  those  who  had  so 
singularly  proved  to  be  friends,  instead  of  foes. 

"Are  there  any  men  on  your  track?"  asked  Dan, 
who  could  not  lose  sight  of  the  peril  he  had  in 
curred  by  this  Samaritan  act. 

"  I  speck  dar  is,"  replied  he.  "  I  hear  dem  off 
eber  so  far,  but  I  don't  see  dem." 

"  Can  they  chase  you  on  the  lake  ? " 

"  I  speck  dey  can.  Dey'll  get  a  boat  and  fol- 
lor  de  dogs." 

"  Where  are  you  from  ? "    asked  Lily. 

"  From  Major  Pembroke's  plantation,  'bout  ten 
mile  from  dese  yere  parts,  I  speck." 

"  How  long  since  you  run  away  ? " 

"  I  luff  de  place  about  tree  days  ago.  I  stay  in 
de  cane-brake  till  noon  to-day,  and  git  so  hungry 
I  could  stan  it  no  longer.  Den  I  goes  out  to  find 
someting  to  eat.  Den  somebody  sees  me,  and 
dey  follow  me  wid  de  dogs.  I  done  kill  two  of 
dem  dogs,  and  I  kill  de  rest,  but  I  hear  de  men 
coming,  and  I  run  for  de  lake.  I  speck,  when  I  git 


136  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 

in  de  water,  to  frow  de  dogs  off  de  scent,  but  dey 
git  so  near  dey  see  and  hear  me.  Dem's  mighty 
fine  nigger  dogs,  or  dey  never  follor  me  into  de 
water.  I  done  gib  it  all  up  when  I  hear  dem  in  de 
water  arter  me." 

"  Did  you  get  any  thing  to  eat  when  you  went 
out  of  the  cane-brake,"  asked  Lily. 

"  No,  missy ;    I  got  seen  'fore   I  find  any  ting." 

"  Poor  fellow  !  Then  you  haven't  had  any  thing 
to  eat  for  three  days  ? " 

"  Noting  but  leabes  an  de  bark  ob  trees." 

"  I  will  give  you  some  supper  at  once,"  said  Lily, 
as  she  hastened  to  the  cabin. 

"  Lily  !  "  called  Dan.  "  You  mustn't  light  the 
lantern,  or  make  a  fire." 

"  Why  not  ?  " 

"  The  light  would  betray  us.  The  slave-hunters 
will  soon  be  out  in  their  boat  after  this  man." 

"I  will  not,  then." 

While  Lily  was  engaged  below,  Dan  provided 
the  runaway  with  a  suit  of  his  own  clothes,  which 
were  not  much  too  small  for  him,  as  he  was  a  man 
of  medium  stature.  He  then  conducted  him  to  the 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  137 

standing  room,  for  he  was  still  too  weak  to  walk 
without  support.  His  supper  was  brought  up,  and 
he  ate  cold  bacon  and  potatoes,  bread  and  cheese, 
till  the  wondering  Lily  thought  he  would  devour 
their  whole  stock  of  provisions,  and  till  Dan  kindly 
suggested  that  he  would  make  himself  sick  if  he 
ate  any  more. 

While  he  was  eating,  Dan  satisfied  his  curiosity 
in  regard  to  the  Isabel  and  the  party  on  board  of 
her.  The  runaway,  whose  name  was  Quin,  —  an 
abbreviation  of  Quincy,  —  listened  with  astonish 
ment  to  the  story  of  these  elegant  fugitives,  who 
ran  away  in  a  yacht,  and  lived  in  a  style  worthy  of 
a  planter's  mansion.  No  doubt  he  thought  their 
experience  was  poetical  and  pretty,  compared  with 
his  own,  for  his  flight  had  been  a  death  struggle 
with  famine  and  flood,  with  man  and  brute. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  Isabel  had  run  the  dogs 
out  of  sight,  and  the  waters  in  the  direction  from 
which  she  had  just  come  were  as  still  as  death. 
No  doubt  the  lake  would  be  scoured  in  search  of 
the  fugitive ;  but  for  the  present  the  party  seemed 
to  be  secure  from  pursuit. 


138  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OB 

The  boat  was  now  approaching  the  northern  shore 
of  the  lake,  and  it  became  necessary  to  tack.  The 
wind  held  steady,  but  light ;  and  Dan  had  but 
small  hopes  of  being  able  to  reach  his  destination 
before  daylight.  When  every  thing  was  made  snug 
on  the  other  tack,  and  there  seemed  to  be  no  pres 
ent  danger  ahead  or  astern,  Cyd  conducted  Quin 
to  one  of  the  forward  berths,  and  he  turned  in  for 
the  night.  The  runaway  was  evidently  a  very  pious 
slave,  and  the  young  fugitives  listened  with  reverend 
interest  to  the  long  prayer  he  offered  up  before  he 
retired.  It  was  a  paean  of  thanksgiving  for  his  es 
cape  from  the  fangs  of  the  slave-hunters.  It  was 
homely  speech,  but  it  was  earnest  and  sincere,  and 
those  who  listened  were  deeply  impressed  by  its 
fervid  simplicity. 

Dan  and  Lily  sat  alone  in  the  stern  of  the  boat, 
for  Cyd  had  been  permitted  to  turn  in  with  the  run 
away.  They  talked  of  freedom  and  the  future  for 
an  hour,  and  then  they  were  started  by  the  sound 
of  oars  in  the  distance.  The  slave-hunters  Avere 
on  their  track. 


THE    YOUNG   FUGITIVES.  139 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE    NIGHT    CHASE    ON    THE    LAKE. 

THOUGH  the  Isabel  carried  all  her  extra  sails, 
the  wind  was  so  light  that  she  made  very  little  prog 
ress  through  the  water,  and  the  sound  of  oars  which 
indicated  the  approach  of  a  boat  was  appalling 
to  Dan.  There  could  be  no  doubt  that  it  contained 
the  slave-hunters  in  pursuit  of  Quin ;  and  the  fate 
of  the  whole  party  seemed  to  be  linked  with  that 
of  the  slave,  who  was  sleeping  in  happy  security  in 
the  cabin. 

The  schooner  was  close-hauled,  and  sailing  as 
near  the  wind  as  she  could ;  but  Dan,  as  soon  as 
he  realized  the  peril  of  the  situation,  gave  the 
boat  a  couple  of  points,  which  sensibly  increased 
her  speed.  When  he  first  heard  the  pursuer's  boat, 
it  was  just  abeam  of  the  Isabel.  His  present  course, 
therefore,  carried  him  nearer  to  the  boat  for  a  time, 


140  WATCH    AND   WAIT,    DR 

but  it  was  not  safe  to  permit  her  to  get  to  the  wind 
ward  of  the  Isabel,  in  that  light  breeze. 

Dan  was  satisfied  that,  if  he  had  been  in  the 
four-oar  boat  with  his  black  crew,  he  could  have 
overhauled  the  Isabel  in  a  short  time,  if  the  two 
craft  had  been  in  the  positions  occupied  by  the  pur 
suer  and  the  pursued.  The  race  depended  entirety 
Upon  the  character  of  the  boat  in  which  the  slave- 
hunters  had  embarked. 

Whatever  the  result  of  the  pursuit,  Dan  was  fully 
determined  not  to  be  taken  himself,  nor  to  permit 
his  friends  on  board  to  be  taken.  With  the  arms 
in  the  cabin,  he  was  confident  that  he  could  make 
a  good  defence.  But  the  thought  of  taking  the  life, 
even  of  a  slave-hunter,  was  terrible  to  him,  though 
he  had  fully  reasoned  himself  into  the  belief  that 
such  a  course  would  be  perfectly  justifiable  before 
God ;  and  he  cared  little  for  the  judgment  of  a 
slave-holding  community.  His  Maker  had  given 
him  the  right  to  be  free  —  had  endowed  him  with 
the  right  to  use  his  own  bone  and  sinew  for  his 
own  benefit  and  happiness  ;  and  the  man  or  the  com 
munity  that  attempted  to  deprive  him  of  this  right 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  141 

committed  a  crime  against  God  and  him,  and  it 
was  his  duty  to  defend  himself  against  this  violation 
of  his  Heaven-given  right. 

He  hoped,  however,  to  be  spared  the  pain  of  re 
sorting  to  the  use  of  arms.  He  prayed  to  God, 
with  all  the  earnestness  of  an  earnest  nature,  for 
more  wind;  for  his  creed,  if  he  had  any,  was  very 
simple,  and  included  a  belief  in  special  providences. 
The  boat  of  the  slave-hunters  was  now  not  more 
than  half  a  mile  distant,  and  the  chase  had  become 
intensely  exciting  to  Dan  and  Lily,  who  alone  were 
on  deck.  The  trembling  maiden  could  with  diffi 
culty  maintain  a  reasonable  self-possession.  She 
\vas  terrified  as  the  panting  hare  when  she  feels  the 
warm  breath  of  the  pursuing  hound. 

"  We  shall  certainly  be  taken,  Dan,"  said  she, 
as  she  caught  sight  of  the  boat  beneath  the  main 
boom  of  the  schooner.  "  We  are  lost." 

"  No,  Lily,  not  lost.  You  shall  never  be  taken 
while  I  have  a  drop  of  blood  left  in  my  body," 
replied  Dan,  in  a  low  and  earnest  tone 

"  Why,  they  are  ever  so  much  nearer  than  they 
were  when  we  first  saw  them." 


142  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OB 

"  That  is  true ;  but  it  is  only  because  I  changed 
the  course  of  the  boat." 

"  Why  did  you  change  it,  then  ?  " 

"  Because,  if  I  run  her  down  into  the  corner  of 
the  lake,  they  can  easily  cut  us  off." 

"  I  suppose  you  have  done  the   best   you  could." 

"  There  was  no  other  way  to  do,"  answered  Dan, 
as  he  glanced  under  the  boom  at  the  pursuer.  "  We 
shall  soon  know  which  boat  goes  the  fastest  now." 

"  I  don't  understand  it  at  all,"  said  Lily,  whose 
knowledge  of  seamanship  was  very  limited. 

"  You  know  the  shape  of  the  letter  A  ? " 

"I  do." 

"  Well,  that  boat  has  been  running  up  one  leg  of 
the  A,  and  I  have  been  running  up  the  other ;  so, 
you  see,  we  must  be  coming  nearer  together.  I 
had  to  run  this  way  in  order  to  use  the  wind  to 
the  best  advantage." 

"  But  you  will  come  together  in  this  way  in  a 
few  moments." 

"  No ;  we  are  as  near  now  as  we  can  be,  unless 
that  boat  sails  faster  than  we  do.  I  shall  continue 
to  sail  in  a  straight  line,  but  I  shall  get  ahead  of  the 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  143 

other  if  she  does  not  change  her  course.  She  can 
not  cut  me  out  now,  at  any  rate." 

Probably  Lily  was  willing  to  talk  of  this  subject 
to  banish  more  painful  thoughts  from  her  mind, 
though  it  is  not  likely  that  she  clearly  comprehended 
the  tactics  of  the  skipper  of  the  Isabel. 

"Don't  you  think  I  had  better  call  Cyd  and 
Quin?"  asked  she,  after  she  had  again  glanced  at 
the  position  of  the  pursuing  boat. 

"  No,  let  them  sleep.  We  will  not  call  them 
till  it  is  necessary  to  do  so,"  replied  Dan. 

"  Do  you  think  we  can  esfeape  them  ?  "  asked  she, 
anxiously. 

"  I  cannot  tell,  Lily.  I  hope  so.  It  depends 
entirely  upon  the  wind.  If  the  breeze  should  die 
out,  of  course  we  could  make  no  progress  at  all." 

"Do  you  think  the  wind  will  die  out  ? "  said 
she,  nervously. 

"  I  can't  tell,  Lily.     I  hope  not,  I  pray  not." 

"  Suppose  it  should  die  out,  Dan  ? "  added  she, 
moving  up  nearer  to  the  skipper. 

"If  we  lose  the  wind  there  is  nothing  to  prevent 
the  boat  from  overtaking  us  at  once." 


144  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 

"  O,  dear ! "  shuddered  Lily,  moving  up  still 
nearer  to  him  who  was  her  only  earthly  protector. 

"  Why  do  you  tremble  so,  Lily  ? "  asked  Dan, 
as  he  took  her  hand  and  pressed  it  in  his  own, 
perhaps  thinking  that  he  might  thus  impart  to  her 
some  of  his  own  steadiness. 

"  Because  I  am.  so  terribly  frightened,"  replied 
she,  with  quivering  lips.  "  I  would  rather  die  than 
be  taken ;  and  I  have  been  thinking  that  I  would 
throw  myself  into  the  lake  if  the  boat  catches  us." 

"  You  shall  not  be  taken,  Lily,"  said  Dan,  his 
lips  compressed,  and  his  teeth  tightly  closed,  evin 
cing  the  determination  with  which  he  had  resolved 
to  meet  the  slave-hunters,  if  they  attempted  to  lay 
their  polluting  hands  upon  the  gentle  girl  by  his 
side. 

"  What  can  you  do  against  such  men  as  those  ?  " 

"I  can  fight,  Lily;  I  would  do  so  to  save  my 
self,  but  more  to  save  you." 

"O  Heaven!  If  I  should  be  taken!  What 
would  become  of  me  ?  " 

"  No,  no,  Lily :  don't  take  on  so,"  said  Dan,  as 
he  passed  his  arm  aroxind  her  waist  —  a  familiarity 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  145 

in  which  he  had  never  before  indulged,  but  which 
was  done  only  as  a  father  clasps  his  child  —  to  in 
spire  her  with  more  confidence,  to  assure  her  that 
she  was  in  the  care  of  one  who  was  able  and  will 
ing  to  save  her  from  the  dreadful  fate  that  im 
pended. 

"  I  wish  I  could  be  brave  as  you  are,  Dan,"  said 
she,  confidingly ;  for  the  expedient  of  her  devoted 
friend  seemed  not  to  be  without  some  effect.  "  You 
don't  appear  to  be  at  all  alarmed." 

"  Because  I  nave  firmly  resolved  not  to  be  taken 
myself,  and  noi  to  ]et  you  be  taken." 

"  I  suppose  they  en^y  want  Quin." 

"  They  cannot  ha;re  him.  He  is  a  fugitive, 
like  ourselves,  and  I  don't  believe  God  would  per 
mit  us  to  escape  if  we  .should  wickedly  abandon 
him." 

"  Nor  I ;  we  won't  do  that.  We  will  all  be 
taken  together,"  said  Lily,  whose  sympathy  for  the 
hunted  runaway  seemed,  lir  the  moment,  to  give 
her  new  6ourage. 

"Do    you    suppose    they    know    any   thing   abouf 
us  ? "    asked  she. 
13 


146  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 

"  Perhaps  they  do.  I  suppose  Colonel  Raybone 
has  sent  hunters  in  every  direction  for  us,  and  has 
probably  offered  a  reward." 

"  Then  we  shall  certainly  be  taken,"  answered 
Lily,  with  a  shudder. 

"  We  will  not  be  taken,  Lily,  whoever  pursues  us." 

"  Hallo !  In  the  boat  there  ! "  shouted  a  man 
of  the  pursuing  party. 

The  slave-hunters  were  now  within  less  than  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  Isabel,  for  they  had  been 
gaining  upon  her  by  a  vigorous  use  of  their  oars. 
The  boat  which  contained  them  was  now  exactly 
astern  of  the  schooner. 

"  Hallo ! "  replied  Dan,  who,  knowing  that  the 
men  could  not  talk  and  row  to  the  best  advantage, 
was  quite  willing  to  converse  with  them. 

"  What  boat's  that  ?  "  shouted  the  spokesman  of 
the  slave-hunters. 

"  Captain  Barrett's,"  replied  Dan,  whose  virtue 
was  not  sufficiently  developed  to  induce  him  to  tell 
the  truth  in  his  present  perilous  situation. 

"  Where  from  ?  " 

"  Down   below    Brashear,"     answered    Dan,    who 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  147 

had  previously  made  up  his  mind  what  to  say  if  any 
conversation  with  the  pursuers  should  become  ne 
cessary. 

"  What  ye  doin  up  here  ?  " 

"  Came  up  with  a  party." 

"  Seen  ary  runaway  nigger  in  the  water  ?  " 

"  No,"  shouted  Dan,  promptly. 

The  question  filled  him  with  hope,  for  it  assured 
him  the  slave-hunters  had  not  been  near  enough 
even  to  hear  the  report  of  the  fowling-pieces  when 
he  fired  them ;  or,  at  least,  not  near  enough  to  dis 
cover  who  had  fired  them. 

"  Didn't  ye  see  him  ? "   asked  the  pursuers  again. 

"No." 

"  Gossifus  !  Wha  —  wha  —  wha  —  what's  de  mat 
ter  ? "  demanded  Cyd,  rushing  up  from  the  cabin 
with  Quin,  both  of  them  having  been  awakened 
from  their  slumbers  by  the  voice  of  the  skipper. 

"  Silence,  Cyd ! "  said  Dan,  in  a  low,  decided 
tone. 

"  Hush,  Cyd  ! "  added  Lily,  in  a  whisper.  "  Don't 
speak  a  word." 

"  Wha  —  wha  —  wha " 


148  WATCH    AND     WAIT,     OB 

"  Hush,  Cyd  !  "  repeated  Lily,  who  seemed,  in  the 
moment  of  danger,  to  be  endowed  with  a  self-pos 
session  at  variance  with  her  former  timidity. 

"  Where  you  bound  now  ? "  called  the  slave- 
hunter. 

"  Home,"  replied  Dan. 

They  asked  no  further  questions  for  a  time,  and 
Dan  saw,  with  a  thrill  of  satisfaction,  that  they 
were  lying  upon  their  oars.  He  hoped  that  his 
answers  had  convinced  them  the  runaway  was  not 
on  board ;  but  in  this  he  was  disappointed.  He 
heard  the  men  in  the  boat  talking  together,  though 
he  could  not  make  out  what  they  said.  When  the 
conference  was  ended,  they  renewed  their  efforts  to 
overtake  the  Isabel. 

"  Hallo,  the  schooner !  "  shouted  the  spokesman 
again. 

"  Hallo,  the  boat,"  replied  Dan. 

"  Heave  to,  and  let  us  see  you  a  minute." 

"  What  for  ?  " 

"Want  to  talk  with  you." 

"  Can't  stop." 

"Guess  ye  kin.     Heven't  ye  seen  nary  nigger?" 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  149 

"  No." 

"  Well,  stop  —  won't  ye  ?  " 

"  Can't  stop ;    must  get  home  by  sunrise." 

"  Well,  ye  must  stop ! "  yelled  the  speaker,  an 
grily,  and  with  an  oath. 

"  Hossifus  !  "    groaned  Cyd,  in  mortal  terror. 

"  Shut  up,  Cyd,"  added  Dan,  sternly.  "  If  you 
can't  hold  your  tongue,  I'll  throw  you  overboard ! " 

"  Possifus  !     Ugh  !     Wha  —  wha  —  wha " 

"  Come,  Cyd,"  interposed  Quin,  in  a  low  tone, 
"  don't  make  a  noise.  If  you  do,  we  shall  all  be 
lost." 

"  Dis  chile's  awful  skeered.  I  done  wish  I  hadn't 
come,"  replied  Cyd,  in  a  gentler  tone ;  but  the  words 
trembled  on  his  lips. 

"  Quin,"  said  Dan. 

"  Sar,"  replied  the  fugitive,  with  a  self-posses 
sion  which  thoroughly  shamed  the  quaking  Cyd. 

"  Take  hold  of  the  painter  of  the  bateau,  and 
haul  it  alongside." 

"  Yes,   sar." 

"  Cyd,   take  hold  and  help  him.     Haul  it  up  to 
the  foremast,  and  take  it  on  deck." 
13* 


150  WATCH     AND    WAIT,     OR 

The  order  was  obeyed,  though  Cyd,  in  his  terror, 
was  not  able  to  render  much  assistance.  The  bateau 
\vas  taken  on  deck  to  assist  the  sailing  of  the  Isabel, 
and  also  to  prevent  the  pursuers  from  seizing  it,  if 
they  should  unfortunately  come  near  enough  to  do  so. 

"  Stop  your  boat,  I  say,"  yelled  the  slave-hunter, 
after  they  had  pulled  for  a  few  moments  with  the 
most  determined  zeal. 

"  Can't  stop  !  "   replied  Dan. 

"  Stop  her,  or  I'll  fire  into  you ! " 

"  Gossifus ! "  exclaimed  Cyd,  whose  teeth  were 
still  chattering  with  fear. 

Dan  made  no  reply,  and  concluded  not  to  answer 
any  more  questions. 

"  Are  ye  go'n  to  stop  her  ?  "  demanded  the  pur 
suer.  "  I  b'lieve  youv'e  got  that  nigger  on  board ; 
and  if  ye  don't  heave  to,  I'll  fotch  ye  up  with  a 
bullet." 

"  Bring  up  the  guns,  Cyd,"  said  Dan,  with  forced 
coolness. 

"  Wha  —  wha  —  wha " 

"  The  guns ! "  said  Dan,  fiercely,  as  he  stamped 
his  foot  upon  the  flooring  to  emphasize  his  meaning. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  151 

"  Gossifus  !  I  done  think  — "  But  Cyd  disap 
peared  in  the  cabin  without  giving  those  on  deck 
the  benefit  of  his  thoughts. 

"Now,  Lily,  you  must  go  into  your  cabin.  Lie 
down  in  your  berth,  for  they  may  fire  upon  us,"  said 
Dan.  "Don't  be  alarmed;  there  are  only  three 
men  in  that  boat,  and  we  can  certainly  beat  them 
off." 

"  I  will  not  leave  you,  Dan.  I  am  not  afraid  of 
the  bullets.  I  only  fear " 

At  that  moment  the  report  of  a  gun  startled  them, 
and  the  ball  whistled  close  by  Dan's  head. 


152  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

THE     BATTLE     FOE     FREEDOM. 

"  TAKE  the  helm,  Cyd,  and  mind  how  you 
steer ! "  said  Dan,  with  earnestness,  as  he  rose 
from  his  seat,  and  seized  one  of  the  guns. 

"  Hossifus ! "  exclaimed  Cyd,  aghast  at  the 
thought.  "Wha  — wha  —  wha " 

"  Take  the  helm ! "  repeated  the  resolute  skip 
per,  with  a  decision  which  left  no  alternative  for 
the  boy. 

"  Possifus !  Dis  chile  don't  want  to  set  dar,  and 
be  snooted." 

"  There  is  no  more  danger  there  than  there  is 
any  where  else.  Take  your  place,  and  don't  be  a 
toward.  If  you  want  to  be  free,  you  must  fight 
for  it  now." 

"  Golly !  Dis  nigger  ain't  afeered,  but  Cyd  don't 
want  to  be  shooted,  kase  you  can't  do  widout  Cyd.' 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  153 

But  the  trembling  foremast  hand  took  his  place 
at  the  tiller.  He  continued  to  mutter  to  himself, 
as  though  he  was  repelling  the  charge  of  cowardice 
which  had  been  fastened  upon  him. 

"  Come,  Lily,  you  must  go  into  your  cabin  now," 
added  Dan,  tenderly,  as  he  turned  to  Lily.  "This 
is  no  place  for  you." 

"  O,  I'm  not  afraid  of  the  guns,  Dan ;  only  of  the 
slave-hunters,  and  I  cannot  hide  myself  from  them." 

"  You  may  escape  if  you  stay  in  the  cabin,  and 
you  can  do  no  good  here.  I  shall  feel  better  to 
know  that  you  are  in  a  place  of  safety." 

"  I'm  not  afraid,  Dan ;  really,  I  am  not,"  replied 
she,  earnestly. 

"  But  you  are  in  our  way  here,  Lily.  Do  go 
into  your  cabin,  and  lie  down  in  your  berth." 

"  I  will  if  I  am  in  the  way." 

"  If  we  have  to  fight,  it  will  be  right  here,  and  I 
am  determined  to  resist  to  the  last." 

"  I  will  go ; "  and  Dan  led  her  to  the  door  of 
her  cabin. 

She  entered,  and  threw  herself  upon  the  cushions 
of  the  berth,  and  Dan,  satisfied  that  she  was  in  a 


154  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 

place  of  comparative  safety,  turned  his  attention  to 
the  defence  of  his  party. 

"  Can  you  handle  a  gun  ? "  said  he,  turning  to 
Quin,  who  appeared  to  be  as  cool  and  resolute  as 
the  skipper. 

"  Well,  I  done  shoot  some,"  replied  Quin. 

"Take  a  gun,  then." 

"  Wha  —  wha  —  wha "    gasped  Cyd. 

"  Silence,  Cyd !  Keep  both  eyes  on  the  sails,  or 
I'll  put  a  bullet  through  your  head.  I  didn't  ex 
pect  you  would  be  a  coward  at  such  a  time  as 
this." 

"  Dis  chile  ain't  a  coward,"  answered  Cyd,  rising 
from  his  seat. 

"  Sit  down,  and  mind  your  helm  then !  " 

"  Give  me  de  gun,  and  I'll  show  you  Cyd  ain't 
no  coward,  no  how." 

"  You  never  fired  a  gun  in  your  life.  You  would 
be  more  likely  to  shoot  yourself  than  any  body  else. 
Mind  your  helm ;  that's  all  we  want  of  you." 

"  Possifus !  Dis  chile  ain't  no  coward,  no  how," 
growled  Cyd,  as  he  cast  his  eyes  at  the  sails.  "  Fire 
'v*ay  dar,  and  show  dese  folks  Cyd's  no  coward ! " 


THE    YOUXG    FUGITIVES.  155 

"  Gwine  to  fire  into  dem  folks  in  de  boat  ? " 
asked  Quin. 

"  I  am,  if  occasion  requires,"  replied  Dan,  as  he 
discharged  the  gun  he  held  in  his  hand  in  the  direc 
tion  of  the  pursuers.  "  But  I  want  to  let  them  know 
that  we  are  armed,  and  able  to  give  as  good  as  they 
send.  I  don't  want  to  kill  any  of  them  if  I  can 
help  it." 

"  I  don't  mind  killin  ob  'em ;  dat's  what  dey  done 
do  to  me  if  dey  gits  a  chance." 

"  Stop  your  boat !  "  shouted  one  of  the  men  again ; 
and  it  was  evident,  from  the  tones  of  the  speaker, 
that  the  report  of  the  gun  from  the  Isabel  was  not 
altogether  favorable  to  the  views  of  the  pursuers. 

Dan  made  no  reply,  but  loaded  up  his  gun  for 
further  use. 

"  Stop  your  boat,  or  we'll  fire  into  you  again," 
shouted  the  speaker. 

"  If  you  do  you  will  get  as  good  as  you  send," 
answered  Dan,  as  he  put  the  cap  upon  his  piece. 

The  reply  was  followed  by  another  shot  from  the 
slave-hunters ;  but  the  ball  whistled  far  above  the 
heads  of  the  fugitives.  Dan  took  deliberate  aim  at 


156  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

the  boat,  and  fared,  ordering  Quin  to  do  the  sams 
So  far  as  they  could  discover,  neither  of  the  shots 
took  effect.  From  this  time  both  parties  kept  up 
an  occasional  firing ;  but  as  the  night  was  so  dark, 
and  the  motion  of  the  boats  not  favorable  to  a 
steady  aim,  no  one  in  the  Isabel  was  hit,  and  Dan 
and  his  companion  were  not  aware  of  any  different 
result  to  the  other  boat. 

Cyd  maintained  his  position  at  the  helm  with  the 
steadiness  of  an  old  salt  who  had  stood  at  the  wheel 
in  a  hundred  battles;  and  Dan,  witnessing  his  im 
proved  demeanor,  began  to  think  his  singular  con 
duct  had  been  the  result  of  excitement  rather  than 
of  timidity. 

But  one  thing  was  painfully  evident  to  all  on 
board  of  the  schooner  —  that  the  boat  was  gaining 
upon  her,  and  that  the  wind  was  gradually  dying 
out.  There  was  no  hope  for  them  except  in  their 
own  right  arms.  They  must  fight  for  liberty,  fight 
for  the  rights  which  they  had  boldly  reassumed, 
Dan  and  Quin  were  fully  determined  upon  this 
course,  and  if  they  could  bring  Cyd  up  to  a  sense 
of  duty  on  this  trying  emergency,  there  would  be 
some  chance  of  success. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  157 

As  it  was,  the  odds  were  against  them.  The  pur 
suers  were  probably  men  accustomed  to  the  use  of 
arms,  while  all  in  the  Isabel  were,  to  say  the  least, 
very  indifferent  marksmen.  Hitherto,  they  had  fired 
at  a  dark  mass  on  the  water,  for  they  could  not  dis 
tinguish  the  enemy  in  the  gloom  of  the  night,  and 
the  pursuers  had  been  subject  to  the  same  disad 
vantage.  A  nearer  approach  to  each  other  of  the 
contending  parties,  would  enable  both  to  obtain  a 
more  accurate  aim,  and  the  work  of  death  could 
not  be  much  longer  postponed. 

"  De  wind's  clean  gone,"  said  Cyd,  as  the  heavy 
sails  of  the  Isabel  began  to  flap  idly  in  the  brails. 

"  Cyd,  you  must  fight ! "    added  Dan,  earnestly. 

"  Possifus ! "  exclaimed  Cyd,  rising  and  seizing 
a  boat-hook  that  lay  on  the  quarter.  "  Dis  chile 
will  fight,  for  sartin." 

"  Good,  Cyd !  You  are  a  brave  fellow !  You 
deserve  to  be  free,  and  you  shall  be." 

"  Hossifus  !  Don't  tell  Cyd  he's  a  coward,  kuse 
he  ain't  no  such  ting,  no  how." 

"  I    didn't   mean    that,    Cyd ;     and   I    take    it    all 
back,"   added  Dan.     "  The  boat  has  lost  her  head- 
14 


158  WATCH     AND    WAIT,     OB 

way  now.  They  will  be  upon  us  in  a  moment  or 
two.  Stand  firm,  Cyd,  and  break  the  head  of  any 
man  that  attempts  to  get  into  the  boat." 

"  Yes,  sar !  Dat's  jus  what  I'se  gwine  to  do. 
I'll  broke  de  head  ob  any  nigger-hunter  dat's  gwine 
to  come  in  dis  boat,  for  sartin." 

"  Now,  stoop  down  both  of  you,  and  let  them 
fire  over  our  heads  as  they  come  up." 

Dan  crouched  down  in  the  bottom  of  the  Isabel, 
with  the  gun  ready  for  use  when  the  decisive  moment 
should  arrive ;  Quin  and  Cyd  did  the  same,  and  the 
intrepid  skipper  proceeded  to  give  them  such  instruc 
tions  for  repelling  the  assault  as  the  occasion  re 
quired.  All  of  them  were  to  keep  their  places  till 
the  pursuers  were  close  alongside,  when  the  four 
guns,  which  were  ready  for  use,  were  to  be  dis 
charged.  They  hoped  this  would  be  sufficient  to 
drive  them  off.  If  it  should  not,  a  fifty-six  pound 
weight,  taken  from  the  ballast  in  the  run,  was  to 
be  pitched  into  the  boat,  as  she  came  alongside, 
which  would  break  out  a  hole  in  its  bottom,  and 
sink  it  before  the  enemy  could  get  on  board ;  Cyd 
was  then  to  do  duty  with  his  boat-hook,  and  the 
others  with  similar  weapons. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  159 

The  slave-hunters  showed  some  hesitation  in 
boarding  the  schooner.  The  guns  which  had  been 
fired  from  her  had  undoubtedly  inspired  them  with 
a  proper  respect  for  those  on  board  of  her.  The 
Isabel  lay  with  her  sails  hanging  loosely  from  the 
gaffs  for  half  an  hour,  and  still  the  enemy  did  not 
come  up  to  her. 

"We's  gwine  to  hab  a  shower,"   said  Quin. 

"  And  a  squall  too,  I'm  afraid,"  added  Dan,  as 
he  cast  his  eyes  anxiously  over  the  rail,  to  observe  a 
pile  of  dense  black  clouds,  which  had  suddenly  rolled 
up  the  midnight  sky. 

"  Whar's  de  boat  ?  "    asked  Cyd. 

"  She  lies  off  here  only  a  little  way  from  us.  If 
she  will  only  keep  still  till  we  can  get  a  breeze,  we 
shall  be  all  right." 

"  Let  'em  come  on ;  dis  chile's  all  ready  for  'em," 
replied  Cyd. 

"  Have  you  got  over  being  scared  ?  " 

"  Never  was  skeered." 

"  You  said  you  were." 

"  Cyd's  only  jokin  den.  I  done  feel  so  kinder 
stirred  up.  I  done  want  to  holler  —  make  de  nig 
ger  feel  good." 


160  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 

"  Hush  !  They  are  coming ! "  exclaimed  Dan, 
whose  quick  eye  detected  a  stealthy  movement  on 
the  part  of  the  boat. 

"  Hallo !  In  the  boat,  thar,"  shouted  the  slave- 
hunter. 

"Well.     What  do  you  want?" 

"We're  go'n  to  come  on  board  of  yer." 

"  No,  you  are  not.  You  are  all  dead  men  if  you 
attempt  it." 

"  What  do  you  want  to  shoot  us  fur  ?  We  ain't 
a  go'n  to  hurt  yer." 

"  You  fired  first,  you  infernal  chicken  thieves ! 
\Ve  know  what  you  are,"  replied  Dan,  who  thought 
it  best  to  class  them  with  these  depredators  —  men 
who  frequent  the  western  and  southern  rivers,  plun 
dering  boats  or  houses,  as  opportunity  presents. 

"  We  ain't  no  chicken  thieves." 

"  Keep  off.     We  know  you,"  repeated  Dan. 

This  conversation  was  followed  by  another  pause, 
during  which  the  careful  skipper  had  another  oppor 
tunity  to  examine  the  weather  indications.  They 
were  decidedly  unfavorable.  It  was  probable  that 
a  squall,  if  not  a  tornado,  would  soon  burst  upon 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  161 

them,  and  he  deemed  it  prudent,  even  at  the  risk 
of  being  shot,  to  haul  down  the  jib-topsail,  the 
staysail,  and  the  gaff-topsails.  This  he  succeeded 
in  doing ;  but  he  had  scarcely  finished  the  job,  with 
out  giving  himself  time  to  stow  the  extra  sails,  be 
fore  he  saw  the  boat  of  the  pursuers  dashing  rapidly 
towards  the  Isabel.  The  slave-hunters  had  at  last 
made  up  their  minds  what  to  do.  They  meant  to 
risk  the  encounter. 

Just  then  a  sharp  flash  of  lightning  illumined  the 
lake,  followed  by  the  muttering  thunder.  A  few 
fitful  flashes  of  lightning  had  before  glared  on  the 
gloomy  scene ;  but  now  it  gleamed  fiercely  from  the 
sombre  clouds,  and  the  heavy  thunder  rolled  an 
almost  incessant  peal. 

"  Ready  !  Ready,  now  !  "  said  Dan,  earnestly,  as 
he  sighted  his  gun  at  the  trio  in  the  boat,  which 
the  lightning  plainly  revealed  to  him. 

"  All  ready,"  replied  Quin. 

"  Now  give  it  to  them,"  said  Dan,  as  he  dis 
charged  his  gun,  and  grasped  another. 

Quin  did  the  same.  The  pursuers'  boat  was  not 
more  than  ten  rods  from  them,  but,  from  the  want 
14* 


162  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

of  skill  in  the  marksmen,  the  discharge  proved  harm 
less. 

"  Put  in !  Put  in ! "  yelled  one  of  the  slave- 
hunters.  "  Never  mind  their  firing.  They  can't  hit 
nothing." 

Dan  and  Quin  fired  again. 

"  I'm  hit ! "  roared  one  of  the  enemy,  with  a  hor 
rible  oath.  "  Don't  go  no  furder." 

"Keep  her  a  goin!"  replied  another.  "We'll 
fix  'em  in  a  minute  now." 

The  boat  dashed  up  towards  the  Isabel ;  but  Dan, 
as  soon  as  he  had  fired,  leaped  from  his  place,  and 
seizing  the  fifty-six  pound  weight,  plumped  it  full 
into  the  bottom  of  the  boat.  The  fugitives  heard 
the  pine  boards  crash,  as  the  weight  broke  its  way 
through,  and  went  to  the  bottom  of  the  lake. 

"  Stand  by,  now ! "  shouted  Dan,  as  he  seized 
his  club,  and  dealt  a  heavy  blow  upon  the  head  of 
the  slave-hunter  who  was  in  the  act  of  leaping  on 
board  the  schooner. 

"  We're  sinkin !  "  cried  another  of  them  ;  and  the 
gunwale  of  the  bateau  in  which  they  sailed  was 
nearly  submerged. 


THE  BATTLE   FOR   FREEDOM.      Page  1()2. 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  163 

They  had  no  time  to  act  upon  the  aggressive ;  it 
was  all  they  could  do  to  secure  their  own  safety. 
Just  then,  the  expected  squall  struck  the  Isabel, 
and  though  Dan  had  before  cast  off  all  the  sheets, 
she  careened  over  till  the  water  flowed  into  the 
standing  room.  Her  watchful  skipper  sprung  to  the 
helm,  and  in  an  instant  she  righted  partially,  and 
darted  forward  like  a  steed  pricked  with  the  spur. 

"  We  are  safe !  "  exclaimed  Dan,  as  Lily  rushed 
from  her  cabin,  startled  by  the  exciting  events 
which  had  just  transpired. 


164  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OB, 


CHAPTER   XV. 

THE    FATE    OF     THE     SjOAVE-HUNTERS. 

"  HAUL  down  the  foresail,  Cyd !  "  shouted  Dan, 
as  the  Isabel  gathered  way,  and  forged  ahead.  "  Be 
quick,  but  be  careful  of  yourself." 

With  the  assistance  of  Quin,  Cyd  got  the  foresail 
in,  though  it  was  not  without  a  deal  of  hard  tugging, 
for  the  wind  now  blew  a  fierce  gale.  As  soon  as  sail 
was  thus  reduced,  the  sheets  of  the  jib  and  mainsail 
were  secured,  and  the  schooner  lay  down  to  her  work, 
dashing  through  the  water  at  a  furious  rate. 

"  We  are  all  right  now,  Lily,"  said  Dan.  "  Go 
into  your  cabin  again,  or  you  will  be  blown  away." 

"Were  any  of  you  hurt  in  the  fight?"  asked 
she,  as  loud  as  she  could  scream,  for  the  wind 
howled  fearfully  through  the  rigging  of  the  schooner. 

"  No,  we  are  all  well  and  hearty.  Go  to  the 
cabin,  Lily." 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  165 

She  returned  to  her  place  of  security,  and  seemed 
to  be  satisfied  that  the  hour  of  peril  had  passed, 
for  the  thunder  and  the  lightning,  the  dashing  waves 
and  the  roaring  wind,  had  no  terrors  compared  with 
those  produced  by  the  presence  of  the  slave -hunters. 

The  Isabel  labored  fearfully  in  the  heavy  squall, 
and  it  was  only  by  the  exercise  of  all  his  skill  that 
Dan  could  keep  her  right  side  up.  He  was  obliged, 
as  the  gusts  of  wind  struck  her,  to  ease  off  the 
sheets,  and  to  luff  her  up.  By  the  glare  of  the 
blinding  lightning  he  obtained  the  position  of  the 
boat  in  the  lake,  or  he  might  have  run  her  on  shore, 
and,  with  the  beautiful  craft,  wrecked  all  the  hopes 
of  his  party. 

"  Here,  Cyd  and  Quin,  stand  by  to  reef  this  main 
sail  !  We  can't  stand  this  long,"  said  Dan,  as  he 
threw  the  Isabel  up  into  the  wind. 

"  Possifus ! "  yelled  Cyd,  above  the  howling  of 
the  tempest.  "  We  all  go  to  de  bottom,  for  sartin." 

"  No,  we  won't ;  stand  by,  and  work  lively.  Let 
go  the  peak  halyards,"  replied  he,  as  he  cast  off  the 
throat  halyards,  on  the  other  side.  "  Haul  down 
the  sail  as  fast  as  you  can,  Quin." 


166  WATCH     AND     WAIT,    OK 

With  the  jib  still  drawing  full,  the  Isabel  con 
tinued  steadily  on  her  course,  while  Dan  and  Cyd 
put  a  double  reef  in  the  mainsail,  Quin  standing 
at  the  helm  in  the  mean  time,  and  acting  under  the 
direction  of  the  skipper. 

"  Now,  up  with  it,"  added  Dan,  when  the  reef- 
points  were  all  taken  up. 

The  mainsail  was  hoisted,  and  again  the  Isabel 
dashed  madly  on  her  course,  for  she  had  now  all 
the  sail  she  could  carry  in  that  fierce  blow.  Dan 
stood  at  the  helm,  with  his  eyes  measuring  the  dis 
tances,  as  the  vivid  lightning  revealed  the  bearings 
of  the  shores.  Cyd  was  ordered  to  the  forecastle  to 
keep  a  sharp  lookout  ahead,  while  Quin  was  directed 
to  bale  out  the  boat,  for  at  least  a  hogshead  of  water 
had  poured  in  over  the  side  when  the  flaw  struck 
her. 

The  wind  came  in  heavy  gusts,  each  one  of  which 
threatened  to  "knock  down"  the  Isabel;  and  if  her 
skipper  had  not  been  a  thorough  boatman,  such  must 
have  been  her  fate.  By  skilfully  meeting  the  flaws 
as  they  struck  her,  he  prevented  her  from  capsizing. 
Under  ordinary  circumstances  he  would  have  deemed 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  167 

it  highly  imprudent  to  carry  any  sail,  and  would 
have  anchored  the  boat  with  a  long  cable ;  but  this 
was  the  battle  of  Freedom,  and  success  was  worth 
any  risk  and  any  peril  which  it  might  require. 

The  tempest,  however,  was  of  short  duration. 
When  the  rain  began  to  pour  in  torrents,  the  gale 
subsided.  The  reefs  were  shaken  out,  and,  finally, 
the  foresail  was  set  again.  The  wind  continued  to 
blow  pretty  fresh,  but  all  danger  was  at  an  end. 

"  What  you  'pose  come  ob  dem  men  ? "  asked 
Quin,  as  he  finished  his  task  of  baling  out  the 
boat. 

"  I  don't  know ;  but  I  feel  confident  that  not  all 
of  them  are  able  to  tell  what  has  happened  to 
them." 

"  One  of  them  was  hit  wid  de  shot,"  added  Quin. 

"  And  I  struck  one  over  the  head  with  a  fender.'' 

"  Dem  two  mus  be  gone  killed  dead  for  sure," 
said  Quin,  with  solemn  earnestness. 

"  Of  course  it  was  not  possible  for  them  to  get 
ashore,  for  their  boat  was  stove  all  to  pieces.  Do 
you  know  them,  Quin  ?  " 

"Yes,  sar ;    dey's  all  nigger-hunters." 


168  WATCH     AND     WAIT,    OK 

"  Could  they  swim  ?  " 

"  I  dunno ;    but  I  s'peck   dey  could." 

"  It  would  not  make  much  difference  whether  they 
could  or  not.  The  wind  blew  a  hurricane  for  a  few 
moments." 

"  Quin  tinks  dey  must  be  all  dead,"  replied  the 
man,  shaking  his  head. 

"  I'm  afraid  they  are ;  bu(  it  was  not  our  fault. 
If  I  thought  they  were,  I  would  not  go  down  the 
lake  any  farther,"  added  Dan,  musing. 

"  I  feels  almost  sartin  dey's  gone  to  dar  reward  — 
'  may  de  good  Lo'd  hab  mercy  on  dar  sinful  souls.' " 

Dan  considered  the  question  for  a  time  in  silence, 
and  finally  determined  to  put  the  boat  about,  and 
head  her  for  his  destination  at  the  north-westerly 
corner  of  the  lake.  The  rain  still  came  down  in 
torrents ;  but  as  all  on  deck  were  provided  with 
rubber  coats,  belonging  to  the  boat,  which  had  been 
provided  for  the  use  of  the  planter  and  his  guests 
en  board,  they  did  not  suffer,  and  were  not  even 
very  uncomfortable.  But  if  they  had  been,  it 
would  not  have  been  regarded  as  a  serious  matter, 
amic?  the  fierce  excitements  of  that  eventful  night. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  169 

The  storm  was  nothing  more  than  one  of  those 
sudden  showers  which  come  up  so  unexpectedly 
at  the  south.  We  once  passed  through  a  tornado 
in  Louisiana,  which  came  in  a  shower  that  gathered 
upon  a  blue  sky  in  less  than  half  an  hour.  It  tore 
up  tall  trees  as  though  they  had  been  cornstalks, 
and  rolled  up  the  Mississippi  so  that  it  looked  like 
a  boiling  caldron.  In  half  an  hour  more  the  sun 
was  shining  gayly  on  the  scene  of  devastation,  as 
though  Nature  had  no  terrors  in  her  laboratory  of 
forces. 

In  an  hour  after  the  exciting  scene  on  the  lake, 
the  Isabel  had  a  gentle  breeze  and  fair  weather. 
Cyd  still  maintained  his  position  on  the  forecastle, 
and  Lily  once  more  ventured  into  the  standing  room. 
Dan  gave  her  a  minute  account  of  the  affray  with 
the  slave-hunters,  and  concluded  by  stating  his  be 
lief  that  all  three  of  them  had  been  drowned  in  the 
lake. 

Lily  shuddered  at  the  thought ;  for  the  taking  of 
a  human  life,  even  in  defence  of  the  freedom  which 
she  valued  more  highly  than  life  itself,  seemed*  a  ter 
rible  thing  to  her  gentle  heart. 
15 


170  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OR 

"  Perhaps  they  are  not  dead,"  said  she. 

"  Perhaps  not ;  but  it  is  hardly  possible  that  they 
could  have  swum  ashore.  We  were  at  least  three 
miles  from  the  land,  and  their  boat  was  all  stove 
to  pieces." 

"  Dey  might  hab  hold  on  to  de  boat,"  suggested 
Auin. 

"  But  there  was  an  awful  sea  for  a  few  moments. 
Why,  the  water  dashed  clean  over  our  decks,"  added 
Dan.  "  One  of  them  may  have  saved  himself,  but 
[  am  confident  the  other  two  must  have  been  lost." 

*'  Hi,  Dan ! "  shouted  Cyd,  from  his  position  at 
ihe  heel  of  the  bowsprit. 

"What  is  it,  Cyd?" 

"  Bar's  someting  ober  dar,"  added  Cyd,  pointing 
jver  to  leeward,  as  he  walked  aft. 

"What  is  it?" 

"  Cyd  tinks  it's  de  boat  ob  de  slabe-hunters." 

"  Perhaps  it  is,"  said  Dan,  musing.  "  And  our 
Bounded  or  dying  enemies  may  be  clinging  to  it. 
Shall  we  save  them  ?  " 

"  Hfossifus !  Dey  kill  us  ef  we  does,"  exclaimed 
Cyd. 


THE    YOUXG    FUGITIVES.  171 

"  '  Lub  your  enemies,' "  said  Quin,  piously.  "  Let 
us  sabe  dem  if  we  can.  We  kin  tie  dar  hands  and 
fotch  'em  ober  dar." 

"  I  don't  think  they  are  there." 

"We   must   save   their  lives,"    added   the   gentle 

Lily. 

"  And  perhaps  lose  our  own ;  but  I  will  overhaul 
the  boat,  to  satisfy  myself  whether  the  men  were 
lost  or  not,"  said  Dan,  as  he  let  out  the  main  sheet, 
and  put  up  the  helm.  "  Stand  by  with  the  boat- 
hook,  Cyd." 

In  a  few  moments  the  Isabel  had  run  up  to  the 
wreck  of  the  boat,  and  Cyd  grappled  it  with  the 
boat-hook.  There  were  no  men  clinging  to  it,  but 
in  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  covered  over  with  water, 
lay  the  body  of  one  of  the  slave -hunters.  It  was 
probably  the  one  who  had  been  shot.  He  had  not 
been  killed  at  once,  for  he  had  spoken  after  he  was 
hit ;  it  looked  as  though  he  had  been  drowned  in 
the  bottom  of  the  boat  where  he  lay. 

The  fugitives  were  filled  with  horror  at  this  dis 
cover)'.  Poor  Lily  had  nearly  fainted,  and  if  Cyd 
had  been  shot  himself,  he  could  hardly  have  made 


172  WATCH     AND     WATT,     OR 

a  stronger  demonstration.  Quin  uttered  many  pious 
ejaculations,  showing  that  he  had,  from  his  heart, 
forgiven  this  man,  who,  an  hour  before,  had  thirsted 
for  his  blood.  Dan,  though  not  less  impressed  than 
his  companions,  was  calm  and  resolute. 

"  This  body  may  betray  us,"  said  he.  "  We  must 
sink  it  in  the  lake." 

"  Ugh ! "    exclaimed  Cyd,  with  a  thrill  of  horror. 

"  We  have  no  time  to  spare,"  added  Dan,  briskly. 
"  Bring  up  another  fifty-six,  Quin." 

The  weight  was  brought  up  and  tied  to  the  corpse 
of  the  slave-hunter,  as  it  lay  in  the  boat.  Dan  then 
ordered  his  companions  to  tip  the  boat  over ;  but 
Quin,  asking  for  a  moment's  delay,  threw  himself 
upon  his  knees,  and  commenced  an  earnest  prayer 
in  behalf  of  the  deceased,  supplicating  forgiveness 
for  his  bloodthirsty  enemy.  Dan  listened  rever 
ently  to  the  prayer,  while  Lily  sobbed  as  though 
the  departed  slave-hunter1  had  been  her  dearest 
friend,  instead  of  the  bitter  foe  of  her  race. 

The  service  was  ended ;  the  boat  was  careened  till 
the  body  rolled  out,  and  disappeared  in  the  depths 
of  the  lake. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  173 

"  May  de  good  Lo'd  hab  mercy  on  his  poor,  sinful 
soul,  for  de  lub  of  Jesus'  sake ! "  exclaimed  Quin, 
as  the  corpse  sank  to  its  resting-place. 

"  Make  fast  the  boat  to  that  cleat  on  the  quarter, 
Cyd,"  said  Dan,  as  he  hauled  aft  the  sheets,  and 
put  his  helm  down. 

Cyd  obeyed,  and  the  Isabel  filled  away  upon  her 
course  again.  Lily  was  calmer  now,  but  she  was 
still  much  impressed  by  the  solemn  and  awful  scene 
of  which  she  had  just  been  a  witness. 

"  It's  all  over  now,  Lily.  Don't  think  any  more 
about  it,"  said  Dan,  in  soothing  tones. 

"  It  is  terrible  —  isn't  it,  Dan  ?  "  replied  she,  with 
a  shudder. 

"  It  is,  Lily ;  but  theYe  was  no  help  for  it.  All 
that  we  have  done  was  in  self-defence." 

"  But  it  is  awful  to  think  of  killing  them." 

"  It  is  better  as  it  is  than  if  we  had  let  them 
take  us." 

"  Did  you  really  mean  to  kill  them,  Dan  ?  " 

"  Not  if  I  could  help  it ;  but  I  would  have  killed 
a  dozen  of  them  rather  than  be  carried  back  inta 
slavery." 

15* 


174  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

"  We  didn't  kill  'em,  Missy  Lily,"  interposed 
Quin.  "  Dey  done  drownded.  De  good  Lo'd  strike 
'em  down  jus  like  he  did  de  'Gyptians  in  de  Red 
Sea,  in  de  midst  ob  dar  wickedness.  We  didn't 
kill  'em,  Missy  Lily." 

"  That's  it,  Lily,"  added  Dan,  indorsing  the  ex 
planation,  though  the  religious  aspect  of  the  case 
was  not  so  strongly  impressed  upon  his  mind  as 
upon  that  of  his  pious  companion. 

"  We  might  have  saved  them,"  continued  the 
gentle-hearted  girl,  who  derived  but  little  consola 
tion  from  the  words  of  Quin.  "  You  might  have 
taken  them  on  board  when  the  squall  came." 

"  Why,  Lily,  I  had  just  smashed  then*  boat  with 
my  own  hands,  and  I  wasn't  going  to  put  my  head 
into  the  lion's  mouth.  It  is  best  as  it  is,  Lily.  The 
death  of  these  men  will  remove  all  danger  from 
our  path,  for  no  one  has  seen  us  except  them." 

"  But  how  awful !  "    sighed  she. 

"  I  told  you,  Lily,  before  we  started,  that  terrible 
things  might  happen  to  us.  You  shall  be  free ;  let 
this  thought  comfort  you." 

But  it  did  not  comfort  her,  and  she  continued  to 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  175 

bewail  the  catastrophe  that  had  befallen  the  slave- 
hunters  till  the  attention  of  her  companions  was 
called  to  the  position  of  the  Isabel. 

"  Bar's  land  on  de  bof  sides  of  us,"  called  Cyd, 
who  had  again  been  stationed  at  the  heel  of  the 
bowsprit  to  act  as  lookout  man. 

"  All  right !  I  see  it,?'  responded  Dan.  "  Quin, 
let  go  the  foresail  halyards.  How  does  it  look 
ahead,  Cyd  ?  " 

"  Dark  as  de  back  of  dis  chile's  hand." 

"  Look  out  sharp  !  " 

"Do  dat,  for  sartin." 

The  Isabel  continued  slowly  on  her  course,  for 
the  woods  on  the  shore  now  began  to  shelter  the 
sails  from  the  full  force  of  the  wind.  The  corner 
of  the  lake  grew  narrower  with  every  moment  she 
advanced,  till  the  boat  was  not  more  than  a  couple 
of  rods  from  either  shore.  She  was  running  up  one 
of  the  tributaries  of  the  lake. 

Presently  the  creek  was  less  than  thirty  feet  wide ; 
and  having  passed  round  a  bend  so  as  to  hide  her 
from  the  open  lake,  Dan  ordered  his  companions  to 
make  fast  to  a  tree,  as  he  ran  her  up  to  the  shore. 


176  "WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OB 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

IN     THE     SWAMP. 

THE  place  where  the  Isabel  had  been  moored  was 
in  the  midst  of  a  gloomy  and  extensive  swamp. 
Though  Dan  had  never  been  here  before,  he  had 
heard  of  the  region,  and  from  the  first  had  deter 
mined  to  conceal  his  party  within  its  deep  and  almost 
impenetrable  morasses.  The  swamp  was  about  fif 
teen  miles  in  extent  from  north  to  south,  and  ten 
from  east  to  west.  It  was  full  of  bayous  and  lagoons, 
and  inhabited  only  by  herons,  alligators,  and  other 
wild  animals  of  the  south-west. 

It  was  impossible  to  penetrate  the  swamp  without 
a  boat,  for  the  terra  firma  of  the  region  consisted 
only  of  islands  covered  with  trees,  most  of  them  sur 
rounded  by  shallow  and  muddy  waters.  It  is  doubt 
ful  whether  any  human  being  had  ever  fully  explored 
this  extensive  swamp ;  and  Dan  was  confident  that, 


THE     YOITNG     FVGITIVKS.  177 

if  he  could  succeed  in  making  his  way  with  the 
Isabel  to  a  distance  of  two  or  three  miles  from  the 
lake,  his  party  would  be  free  from  intrusion,  unless, 
indeed,  the  slave-hunters  made  a  business  of  driving 
them  from  their  covert. 

The  information  of  the  leader  of  the  expedition  in 
regard  to  the  swamp  was  exceedingly  limited.  All 
he  knew  had  been  derived  from  Colonel  Raybone, 
who,  in  conversation  with  some  of  his  friends,  had 
mentioned  the  region,  and  given  a  partial  description 
of  it.  He  had  learned  that  the  bayou,  which  was  the 
outlet  of  the  waters  of  the  swamp,  was  obstructed  by 
fallen  timber  a  short  distance  from  the  lake.  As 
runaway  slaves  could  not  live  in  this  desolate  place, 
there  had  been  no  occasion  to  pursue  them  into  its 
deep  recesses. 

The  party  on  board  the  Isabel  were  very  much 
fatigued  by  the  labor  and  excitement  of  the  night ; 
and  when  the  schooner  was  safely  moored,  Dan  de 
clared  that  nothing  more  should  be  done  until  the 
party  had  rested  themselves.  It  was  not  yet  day 
light,  and  the  boat  was  in  a  secure  position. 

"  But  we   must  not  all  go  to  sleep,"  added  Dan. 


178  WATCH    AND    WAIT,    OK 

"  I  intend  to  keep  a  watch  night  and  day  while  Ave 
stay  in  this  place,  if  it  should  be  for  a  year." 

"  Hossifus  !  What's  de  use  of  keepin  de  watch  ?" 
yawned  Cyd,  as  he  stretched  himself,  and  opened  his 
mouth  wide  enough  to  take  in  a  small  alligator. 

"  Suppose  half  a  dozen  slave-hunters  should  come 
up  here  while  we  are  all  asleep  ! "  replied  Dan, 
sharply. 

"  'Pose  dey  come  when  we're  all  awake  —  what 
den  ?  " 

"  We  can  beat  them  off,  as  we  did  those  last 
night." 

"  Gossifus  !  Some  ob  us  git  killed  for  shore,  if 
dey  keep  shooten  wid  de  guns." 

"  Better  die  than  be  taken,  Cyd.  We  must  be 
lieve  this  before  we  can  be  sure  of  success." 

"  Dat's  what  I's  gwine  to  do,"  added  Quin.  "  Dis 
chile  will  fight  till  dey  ain't  notin  lef  ob  him — ye 
kin  be  shore  ob  dat." 

"  Possifus  !  Den,  if  you's  all  gwine  to  fight,  Cyd 
ain't  gwine  to  be  out  ob  de  fashion,  for  sartin.  I's 
don't  know  much  about  de  guns,  but  Cyd  kin  split 
a  two-inch  plank  a  buttin  agin  it.  I's  can't  shoot, 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  179 

but  I  can  butt,"  grinned  Cyd.  "  You  kin  bet  your 
life  dis  chile  ain't  no  coward,  no  how." 

"  You  did  very  well  last  night,  Cyd,  and  I  hope 
you  will  stand  up  to  your  principles,"  said  Dan. 

"What's  dem?" 

"  What  do  you  think,  Cyd  ?  " 

"  Hossifus  !  Cyd  tinks  he's  sleepy,"  yawned  he, 
opening  his  mouth  in  a  fearful  gape.  "  I's  stand  up 
to  dat,  for  shore." 

"  Very  well;  but  one  of  us  shall  stand  watch  while 
the  others  sleep.  Which  shall  it  be  ?  " 

"  I'll  be  de  fus.  I  done  sleep  some  last  night," 
said  Quin.  "  You  didn't  shet  your  eyes  once." 

"  Whose  turn  next  ?  " 

"  Cyd's,  for  sartin.  You'm  did  a  big  ting  last 
night,  Dan.  We  all  done  gwine  to  de  bottom  ob  de 
lake,  or  de  nigger-hunters  hab  us  for  shore,  if  'twan't 
for  you,  Dan.  You  kin  sleep  all  day." 

"  I'm  very  tired,  and  need  rest,  for  we  have  hard 
work  before  us ;  but  you  must  keep  awake,  whoever 
is  on  the  watch.  Our  lives  depend  upon  the  man 
on  the  watch." 

"  You  kin  trust  me,  Dan,"  replied  Quin. 


180  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

"  So  you  kin  me,"  added  Cyd. 

Dan  examined  all  the  guns,  to  see  that  they  were 
in  condition  for  immediate  use,  and  then  turned  in, 
to  obtain  the  rest  he  so  much  needed.  Lily  had 
already  retired,  and  before  the  weary  skipper  could 
close  his  eyes,  Cyd  was  snoring  like  a  sleepy  alli 
gator. 

Quin  was  tired  and  sleepy,  as  well  as  his  compan 
ions  ;  but  it  was  a  matter  of  conscience  with  him  to 
keep  awake.  He  walked  up  and  down  the  standing 
room  in  his  bare  feet,  that  the  noise  might  not  dis 
turb  the  sleepers,  to  guard  against  the  possibility  of 
being  unfaithful  to  the  solemn  duty  which  had  been 
imposed  upon  him.  The  sun  rose  bright  and  clear, 
and  the  solitary  sentinel  still  kept  vigil  over  the 
sleeping  party  in  the  cabin.  Two  hours,  four  hours, 
elapsed,  and  Quin  still  paced  the  deck.  It  was  full 
six  hours  before  the  sleepers  showed  any  signs  of  life. 

Lily  was  the  first  to  wake  and  come  on  deck.  In 
a  whisper  she  told  Quin  to  go  to  his  berth,  and  per- 
m't  her  to  keep  the  watch.  At  first  he  objected  ;  but 
her  persistence  finally  overcame  his  scruples,  and  he 
crept  softly  to  his  bunk  in  the  forward  cabin.  In  a 


THE     TOUXG     FUGITIVES.  181 

few  moments  he  was  sleeping  as  soundly  as  the  rest. 
The  two  boys  were  physically  incapable  of  going 
without  their  rest.  They  were  growing,  and  to  sit 
up  all  night,  filled  with  anxiety  and  excitement,  was 
more  than  they  could  bear  without  Nature's  strongest 
protest. 

They  slept  hour  after  hour,  and  Lily  faithfully 
performed  her  duty  as  sentinel  over  them.  The 
swamp  was  as  still  as  the  house  of  death ;  not  a 
sound  was  to  be  heard,  for  even  the  alligators  were 
motionless,  as  they  sunned  themselves  upon  the  dead 
logs  of  the  lagoons. 

Dan,  having  slept  eight  hours  strong,  was  the  first 
to  appear  on  deck.  As  he  looked  at  his  watch  he 
was  surprised  to  find  it  so  late,  and  surprised  to  find 
Lily  acting  as  watch  on  deck.  His  orders  had  been 
disregarded ;  but  Lily  was  too  powerful  an  advocate 
with  him  to  permit  any  blame  to  be  cast  upon  his 
companions.  She  persuaded  him  that  every  thing 
which  had  been  done  was  for  the  best.  Cyd  soon 
after  made  his  appearance,  having  slept  all  he  could 
at  one  stretch,  and  the  boys  proceeded  to  get  break 
fast.  Ham  and  eggs,  coffee  and  toast,  constituted 
16 


182  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

the  repast,  prepared  by  the  skilful  hand  of  Lily, 
though  she  was  assisted  by  her  willing  friends. 

Quin  did  not  wake  till  the  meal  was  ready  to  be 
put  upon  the  table ;  and  the  party  all  sat  down  to 
this  princely  banquet  in  the  forward  cabin,  with  the 
feeling  that  they  were  fortunate  beyond  all  other 
fugitives  that  had  ever  escaped  to  the  swamp. 

After  breakfast  —  or  rather  dinner,  if  we  designate 
the  meal  by  the  time  of  day  —  Lily  insisted  upon  her 
right  to  clear  off  the  table  and  Avash  the  dishes, 
which  was  yielded  after  some  discussion,  though  with 
the  proviso  that  Cyd  should  assist  in  the  heavy  work. 
While  they  were  thus  engaged,  Dan  and  Quin  took 
the  bateau,  which  had  been  put  into  the  water  be 
fore  dinner,  and  rowed  up  the  bayou  to  explore  the 
region  above  them.  Finding  an  unobstructed  pas 
sage  for  about  two  miles,  they  returned. 

By  this  time  the  work  of  the  housekeepers  was 
finished,  and  the  labor  of  towing  the  Isabel  up  the 
bayou  was  commenced.  As  the  water  was  very  shal 
low  in  some  places,  they  hud  to  follow  the  channel ; 
and  it  was  sundown  when  they  had  moored  her  to 
the  point  they  had  reached  in  the  bateau. 


THE    YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  183 

'  "  That  will  do  very  well,"  said  Dan,  as  they  made 
her  fast  to  a  trea^ 

"  De  nigger-hunters  neber  find  us  here,  for  sartin," 
idded  Cyd,  as  he  dashed  the  sweat  from  his  brow. 

"  We  are  not  in  a  safe  place  yet,"  continued  Dan. 
"  But  we  are  in  no  hurry,  and  we  won't  do  any  more 
to-day.  Let  us  have  supper  and  go  to  bed." 

Lily  had  already  made  the  tea,  and  had  every  thing 

in  a  forward  state  of  preparation. 

After  supper,  the  important  question  of  the  \vatch 
came  up  again  for  consideration. 

"We  may  as  well  settle  this  matter  once  for  all,"' 
said  Dan.  "  I  suppose  six  hours'  sleep  is  enough 
for  any  of  us." 

"  Plenty,"  added  Quin. 

"  Dunno,"  said  Cyd,  shaking  his  head,  and  gaping 
as  though  he  had  not  slept  any  for  a  week.  "  Dis 
chile  allus  goes  to  sleep  at  eight,  and  Avakes  up  at 
five.  How  long's  dat,  Dan  ? " 

"  Nine  hours  ;   that's  enough  for  a  hog." 

"  Nuff  for  a  nigger  too." 

"  I  have  got  a  plan  all  ready,  and  if  you  agree 
to  it  we  will  adopt  it,"  added  Dan. 


184  "WATCH     AND     WAIT,    OR 

•'  You's  de  cap'n,  and  weder  we  'gree  to  it  or  not, 
you  mus  hab  your  own  way,"  continued  Cyd. 

"  Xot  at  all.  We'll  have  no  captain  here.  We  are 
not  at  sea,  and  we  will  all  be  equal.  What  we  do 
will  be  for  our  own  safety.  I  intend  to  keep  my 
watch,  and  do  my  share  of  the  work ;  so  you  needn't 
grumble,  Cyd." 

"  Possifus  !     Cyd  neber  grabble  in  his  life." 

"  You  seem  to  think  that  I  want  to  make  you  do 
more  than  your  share." 

"  No,  sar !  I's  tink  you  do  more'n  your  share, 
Dan.  Cyd  ain't  notin  but  a  nigger,  and  you's  almos' 
a  gen'leman," 

"  Come,  come,  Cyd.  I  shall  be  angry  if  you  talk 
in  that  way.  I  am  just  the  same  as  the  rest  of  you." 

"  Hossifus  !     Wha  —  wha  —  wha " 

"  That'll  do,  Cyd." 

"  You's  got  all  de  brains,  and  knows  jes  what  to 
do  and  where  to  go.  Gossifus  !  Wha  —  wha  — 
what  become  ob  us  widout  Dan  ?  " 

"  Dat's  jus  what  I  tinks,"  added  Quin.  "You 
does  de  tinkin,  and  we  does  de  wuck." 

"  I  shall  do  my  part  of  the  work.      Xo\v  listen  to 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  185 

me,  and  I  will  tell  you  how  I  think  the  work  ought 
to  be  divided.  We'll  go  to  "bed  at  nine  o'clock, 
and  turn  out  at  five." 

"  Dem's  um,"  nodded  Cyd. 

"  I  will  take  the  first  watch  to-night,  till  one 
o'clock,  and  Cyd  the  second,  till  five  in  the  morning." 

"  But  whar's  my  watch  ?"  demanded  Quin. 

"  At  five  o'clock  you  shall  turn  out  and  get  break 
fast.  To-morrow  night  it  shall  be  your  first  watch, 
and  my  second,  and  Cyd  shall  get  breakfast  the  next 
morning.  Then  Cyd  shall  have  the  first  watch  the 
third  night,  and  Quin  the  second,  and  I  will  get 
breakfast.  That  makes  a  fair  division,  I  think." 

"  Dat's  all  right,"  added  Quin. 

"  Those  who  sleep  but  four  hours  in  the  night  can 
sleep  during  the  day,  if  they  wish." 
'  "  Yes,  when  de  wuck's  done,"  said  Quin. 

"We  shall  not  have  much  work  to  do  after  we 
get  settled,"  replied  Dan. 

"  All  that's  very  fine,"  added  Lily,  who  had  been 
listening  to  the  arrangement;  "but  I  shall  not  con 
sent  to  it.  I  intend  to  get  breakfast  myself." 

"  Xo,  Lily,"  remonstrated  Dan.     "  If  you   do   all 
16* 


186  WATCH     AND     WAIT,    OR 

the  cooking,  you  will  have  to  work  harder  than  any 
of  the  boys.  One  of  us  will  do  the  heavy  work  on 
deck,  and  you  shall  attend  to  the  table.  I  am  will 
ing  you  should  do  your  share  of  the  work,  if  you 
insist  upon  it,  but  not  more  than  your  share.  We 
shall  have  nothing  to  do  but  eat  and  sleep  when  we 
get  the  boat  in  position." 

Lily  insisted  for  some  time,  but  was  forced  to 
yield  the  point  at  last ;  for  neither  Dan  nor  his  com 
panions  would  consent  to  her  proposition.  At  nine 
o'clock  Lily  Avent  to  her  cabin,  and  Quin  and  Cyd 
were  soon  sound  asleep  in  their  bunks.  At  one 
o'clock  Cyd  was  called,  and  Dan  gave  him  his 
watch,  that  he  might  know  when  to  call  Quin. 

It  was  a  difficult  task  for  the  sentinel  to  keep 
awake ;  but  I  believe  he  was  faithful  this  time  in 
the  discharge  of  his  important  duty.  At  five  Quin 
was  called,  and  Cyd  immediately  proceeded  to  make 
up  for  lost  time. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  187 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

CYD    HAS    A    BAD    FIT. 

CYD  was  roused  from  his  slumbers  at  nine  o'clock 
to  assist  in  working  the  Isabel  farther  into  the 
swamp,  and  in  the  course  of  the  day  she  was  safely 
moored  in  her  permanent  position.  The  quick  eye 
of  Dan  had  detected  the  admirable  fitness  of  this 
place  both  for  concealment  and  defence.  It  was  not 
more  than  three  miles  from  the  lake. 

The  Isabel  was  secured  between  two  islets,  in  the 
midst  of  a  broad  lagoon.  The  channel  between  the 
two  portions  of  land  was  only  wide  enough  to  admit 
the  boat,  and  the  shore  was  covered  with  an  impene 
trable  thicket  of  bushes  and  trees,  so  that  the  fugi 
tives  were  obliged  to  "  strip  "  the  sail-boat,  and  take 
out  her  masts,  before  they  could  move  her  into  the 
narrow  bayou. 

The  next  day,  when  the  morning  work  on  board 


188  WATCH    AND    AVAIT,    OH 

was  done,  they  commenced  the  task  of  concealing  the 
Isabel  more  effectually  from  the  view  of  any  persons 
who  might  possibly  penetrate  the  swamp.  A  half- 
decayed  log  was  thrown  across  the  channel,  and  green 
branches  stuck  in  the  ground,  till  the  boat  could  not 
be  seen.  A  coat  of  green  paint  was  then  put  over 
the  white  one,  and  the  party  were  satisfied  that  no  one 
could  discover  their  retreat,  unless  he  happened  to 
blunder  upon  it. 

In  these  preparations  a  great  deal  of  hard  work 
was  done ;  but  the  feeling  of  security  which  they 
procured  amply  compensated  for  the  labor.  When 
it  was  done,  the  fugitives  enjoyed  a  season  of 
rest,  and  for  a  week  they  did  nothing  but  eat 
and  sleep,  though  a  strict  watch  was  kept  all  the 
time  to  guard  against  a  surprise.  But  this  was  an 
idle  and  stupid  life  ;  and  even  Cyd,  who  had  formerly 
believed  that  idleness  was  bliss,  began  to  grow  weary 
of  it.  A  few  days  more  were  employed  in  building  a 
bridge  from  the  deck  of  the  boat  to  the  island,  in 
establishing  a  kitchen  on  shore,  and  in  making  such 
other  improvements  on  board  and  on  the  land  as  their 
limited  experience  in  the  swamp  suggested. 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  189 

After  every  change  and  addition  which  the  inge 
nuity  of  the  fugitives  could  devise  had  been  com 
pleted,  the  time  again  began  to  hang  heavily  on  their 
hands.  It  was  a  happy  thought  of  Lily  that  Dan 
should  open  a  school  for  the  instruction  of  Quin  and 
Cyd,  and  half  the  day  was  very  pleasantly  occupied 
in  this  manner.  At  the  end  of  a  month  both  of  these 
pupils  were  able  to  read  a  little  from  Dan's  Testa 
ment,  and  they  continued  to  make  good  progress  dur 
ing  the  remainder  of  their  residence  in  the  swamp. 

At  the  end  of  a  month  Dan  saw  with  dismay  the 
inroad  which  had  been  made  upon  the  supply  of 
provisions.  The  addition  of  one  person  to  the  party 
had  deranged  his  calculations,  for  Quin  was  blessed 
with  a  tremendous  appetite.  It  was  necessary  that 
a  sufficient  quantity  of  the  bacon  and  crackers  should 
be  reserved  for  the  voyage  that  was  yet  before  them, 
which  might  be  a  month  in  duration,  or  even  longer. 
This  supply  had  been  carefully  stowed  away  in  the 
fore  hold,  and  at  the  rate  they  consumed  their  provis 
ions,  the  remainder  would  not  last  them  two  months. 

Dan  communicated  his  doubts  and  fears  on  this 
subject  to  Quin  and  Cyd,  who  immediately  became 


190  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

very  wise,  and  suggested  a  dozen  expedients  to  meet 
the  difficulty.  C}d  proposed  to  forage  on  a  planta 
tion,  which  was  immediately  condemned  as  involv 
ing  too  much  risk.  Quin  thought  they  might  go  to 
the  nearest  store  and  purchase  food,  as  both  Dan  and 
Lily  had  considerable  sums  of  money.  This  also  was 
too  dangerous. 

"  What's  de  use  stoppin  here  so  long  ? "  asked 
Quin. 

"  The  search  for  us  has  not  ended  yet,"  replied 
Dan. 

"  But  dey  won't  tink  no  more  ob  us  in  two  monfs 
from  dis  yere  time." 

"  Very  true  ;  but  the  water  will  be  so  low  that  we 
can't  get  out  of  the  lake  in  less  than  one  month  from 
now.  We  must  stay  here  till  next  spring,"  added 
Dan,  decidedly. 

"  Wha  —  wha  —  what  ye  gwine  to  stop  here  a 
whole  year  fur  ? "  demanded  Cyd,  with  his  usual 
impetuosity. 

"  When  would  you  leave  ?  " 

"  When  de  water  gets  high  in  de  fall." 

"  If  we  go  to  sea  in  the  fall  or  \vinter,  we  shall 


THK     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  191 

meet  with  terrible  storms  in  the  Gulf.  We  should 
perish  with  the  cold,  or  founder  in  a  gale.  We  may 
have  to  be  at  sea  a  month.  We  shall  have  to  meet 
our  greatest  perils  after  we  leave  this  place." 

"  Well,  I  s'pose  you  knows  best,  Dan  ;  and  we's 
gwine  to  do  jus  what  you  say,"  replied  Quin,  meekly. 

"  Dem's  um,  Dan ;  you  jus  tell  dis  chile  wot  you 
wants  done,  and  we's  gwine  to  do  notin  but  do  it," 
said  Cyd. 

"  But  we  must  have  something  to  eat  while  we 
remain  here,"  added  Dan. 

"  Dat's  so  ;  niggers  can't  lib  widout  eatin." 

"  We  can  do  as  the  Indians  do  —  we  can  hunt  and 
fish,"  suggested  Dan. 

"  Sartin  —  plenty  ob  ducks  and  geese,  pigeons  and 
partridges." 

"  And  we  have  fowling  pieces,  with  plenty  of 
powder  and  shot ;  but  none  of  us  are  hunters,  and 
I'm  afraid  we  shall  not  have  very  good  luck  in  shoot 
ing  game." 

It  was  decided  that  Dan  and  Quin  should  try  theii 
luck  on  the  following  day  ;  and  having  taken  an  earl) 
breakfast,  they  started  in  the  bateau,  rowing  down  the 


192  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

bayou  in  the  direction  of  the  lake.  Dan  was  pro 
vided  with  a  fowling  piece,  while  Quin  was  to  try  his 
luck  as  a  fisherman.  The  former  was  landed  at  a 
convenient  place,  while  the  latter  pushed  off  into  the 
deep  waters  of  the  lake,  each  to  exercise  his  craft  to 
the  best  of  his  ability. 

On  the  shore  of  the  lake  Dan  saw  an  abundance 
of  wild  ducks ;  but  they  were  so  very  wild  that  he 
found  a  great  deal  of  difficulty  in  getting  near  enough 
to  risk  the  expenditure  of  any  portion  of  the  precious 
ammunition  which  Avas  to  last  a  year.  He  fired  twice 
without  injuring  the  game,  and  began  to  think  that 
he  was  never  intended  for  a  sportsman.  The  third 
time  he  wounded  a  duck,  but  lost  him.  This  was 
hopeful,  and  he  determined  to  persevere.  At  the 
next  shot  he  actually  bagged  a  brant,  and,  what  was 
better,  he  believed  he  had  "  got  the  hang "  of  the 
business,  so  that  he  could  hunt  with  some  success. 

We  will  not  follow  him  through  the  trials  and  dis 
appointments  of  a  six  hours'  tramp  ;  but  the  result  of 
his  day's  shooting  was  five  ducks  and  one  goose,  with 
which  he  was  entirely  satisfied.  With  the  game  in 
his  bag,  he  hastened  back  to  the  place  where  Quin 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  193 

had  landed  him  in  the  morning.  The  other  sportsman 
had  been  waiting  two  hours  for  him,  and  had  been 
even  more  fortunate  than  his  companion,  having  cap 
tured  about  a  dozen  good-sized  catfish.  The  result 
of  the  expedition  was  very  promising,  and  the  food 
question  appeared  to  be  settled.  With  light  hearts 
they  pulled  back  to  the  camp,  as  Dan  had  christened 
their  dwelling-place  in  the  swamp. 

"  Where  is  Cyd  ? "  asked  Dan,  as  he  hauled  the 
boat  through  the  dense  thicket  which  concealed  the 
Isabel  from  the  gaze  of  any  outsiders. 

"  He  is  here  on  deck,"  replied  Lily,  with  a  trou 
bled  expression.  "  Something  ails  him." 

"  What's  the  matter  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know ;  he  is  very  sick,  and  I  am  so  glad 
you  have  come  !  "  added  the  poor  girl,  who  appeared  to 
have  suffered  an  age  of  agony  in  the  absence  of  the 
hunter. 

Dan  was  alarmed,  for  he  had  not  yet  considered 
even  the  possibility  of  the  serious  illness  of  any 
member  of  the  party ;  and  Lily's  announcement  con 
jured  up  in  his  vivid  imagination  visions  of  suffering 
and  death.  He  was  full  of  sympathy,  too,  for  his 
17 


194  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

companion,  to  whom  he  was  strongly  attached.  With 
a  heart  full  of  painful  and  terrible  forebodings,  he 
leaped  upon  the  deck  of  the  Isabel,  and  rushed  to 
the  standing  room,  where  Cyd  lay  upon  the  floor. 
The  sufferer  had  evidently  just  rolled  off  the  cush 
ioned  seat,  and  was  disposed  in  the  most  awkward 
and  uncomfortable  position  into  which  the  human 
form  could  be  distorted. 

Dan  and  Quin  immediately  raised  him  tenderly 
from  the  floor,  and  placed  him  upon  the  cushions. 
This  movement  seemed  to  disturb  the  sufferer,  and  he 
opened  his  eyes,  muttering  some  incoherent  words. 
At  the  same  time  he  threw  his  arms  and  legs  about 
in  a  frightful  manner.  Dan  was  quite  as  much  puzzled 
and  alarmed  as  Lily  had  been.  He  did  not  know 
what  to  do  for  him.  His  experience  as  a  nurse  had 
been  very  limited,  and  his  knowledge  of  human  infir 
mities  was  extremely  deficient. 

"  What  ails  him  ?  "  asked  Lily,  whose  anxiety  for 
the  patient  completely  beclouded  her  beautiful  face. 

"  I  don't  know,"  replied  Dan,  hardly  less  solicitous 
for  the  fate  of  his  friend.  "  How  long  has  he  been 
sick?" 


THE    YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  195 

"  After  you  went  away  I  was  busy  in  the  cabin  for 
two  or  three  hours,  taking  care  of  the  dishes  and 
cleaning  up  the  place.  When  I  came  on  deck  he 
seemed  to  act  very  strangely.  I  never  heard  him  talk 
so  fast  before.  He  said  he  felt  sick,  and  thought  he 
should  vomit.  He  was  so  weak  he  could  not  walk  ; 
when  he  tried  to  do  so,  he  staggered  and  fell.  I 
helped  him  upon  the  seat,  and  then  he  seemed  to  be 
asleep.  I  bathed  his  head  with  cold  water.  AVhen 
he  waked  up  he  was  stupid,  and  I  was  afraid  he 
would  die  before  you  got  back.  I  didn't  know  what 
to  do  ;  so  I  gave  him  some  brandy." 

"  I^pw  much  did  you  give  him  ?  "  asked  Dan. 

"  Only  about  half  a  tumbler  full  —  as  much  as  you 
gave  Quin  when  he  was  sick.  Poor  fellow !  You 
don't  know  how  much  I  have  suffered  in  your 
absence." 

During  this  conversation,  Quin,  who  had  more  skill 
as  a  physician  and  nurse  than  his  companions,  had 
been  carefully  examining  the  patient. 

"  What  do  you  think  of  him,  Quin  ?  "  asked  Dan, 
as  he  turned  from  Lily  to  consult  with  him. 

"  I  tink  dar's  hope  for  Cyd,"  replied  he,  a  queer 


196  WATCH     AJfD     WAIT,     OR 

smile  playing  about  his  mouth  as  he  glanced  at  the 
anxious  leader  of  the  party. 

"  Do  you  ?  Then  you  understand  the  case  —  do 
you  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sar  ;  I  do,  for  sartin.  My  old  massa  used  to 
hab  jus  such  fits  as  dat,"  added  Quin,  his  countenance 
beaming  with  intelligence. 

"  What  did  you  do  for  him  ?  " 

"  Notin,  but  put  him  to  bed  and  let  him  sleep  it 
off;  I  tink  cold  water  good  for  him.  Dat's  what 
missus  used  to  do  for  old  massa  when  he  hab  it  bery 
bad." 

At  the  suggestion  of  Quin,  Cyd  was  placed  outside 
of  the  washboard,  and  half  a  dozen  buckets  of  cold 
water  were  dashed  upon  him  by  the  relentless  hand 
of  the  negro  nurse. 

"  Wha  —  wha  —  wha  —  "  roared  Cyd,  as  the  first 
bucket  fell  upon  him. 

"  See  dar  !  "  exclaimed  Quin,  triumphantly.  "  He 
done  git  better  so  quick.  Gib  him  some  more ; "  and 
he  dashed  another  pailful  upon  him. 

"  Go  away  dar ! "  cried  Cyd,  trying  to  rise ;  but 
Dan  held  him  fast. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  197 

*'.  Dat  do  him  heaps  ob  good,"  added  Quin  ;  and  he 
continued  to  apply  the  harsh  remedy. 

"  Don't  do  it  any  more,  Quin,"  interposed  Lily, 
who  seemed  to  think  the  remedy  was  as  bad  as  the 
disorder. 

"  Do  him  power  ob  good.  Drive  de  fit  right 
away  from  him,"  answered  Quin,  as  he  remorse 
lessly  dashed  another  bucket  of  cold  water  upon 
the  patient.  "  Dat's  wat  dey  call  de  water- 
cure." 

"  Go  away  dar  !  "  screamed  Cyd.  "  Luff  dis  chile 
lone." 

"  Don't,  Quin  ;  he  does  not  like  it,"  said  Lily. 

"  'Pose  he  don't ;   nobody  likes  de  medicine." 

"  But  you  may  kill  him,"  added  Dan. 

"  Kill  him  !  Don't  you  see  he's  growin  better  all 
de  time  ?  Dar ;  dat'll  do,"  replied  Quin,  as  he  car 
ried  the  bucket  to  the  forecastle. 

"  Wha  —  wha  —  what's  the  matter  ?  "  demanded 
Cyd, 

"  Do  you  feel  better,  Cyd  ?  "  asked  Dan,  tenderly, 
as  he  permitted  the  patient  to  roll  over  into  the  stand 
ing  room. 

17* 


198  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OB 

/ 

"  Yes,  sar ! 

'  I's  born  way  down  'pon  de  Mississip  ; 
I's  crossed  de  riber  on  a  cotton-wood  chip,'  ** 

roared  Cyd,  trying  to  sing  a  familiar  song. 

"  Why,  he  is  crazy  !  "  exclaimed  Lily. 

"  Yes,  missy,  he's  crazy ;  but  he  soon  git  ober  it," 
answered  Quin,  laughing. 

"  Why  do  you  laugh,  Quin  ?  You  don't  seem  to 
be  at  all  concerned  about  him,"  added  Lily. 

"  Bad  fit,  missy !  " 

"  What  ails  him  ?  " 

"  Bad  fit,  missy  ;  my  ole  massa  use  to  hab  lots  ob 
dem  fits,"  chuckled  Quin. 

"  But  what  kind  of  a  fit  is  it,  Quin  ? 

"  Notin,  missy,  only  Cyd  done  drink  too  much 
whiskey,  and  get  drunk  —  dat's  all." 


THE    YOUJfG    FUGITIVES.  199 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

THE     AFFRAY     ON     THE     ILAKE 

EVEN  Lily  laughed  when  she  realized  that  her 
friend  Cyd  was  in  no  danger  of  dying  in  the  bad  fit 
which  had  attacked  him ;  she  laughed  at  his  strange 
actions  and  his  silly  expressions ;  they  all  laughed 
for  a  time,  but  there  was  something  very  serious  in 
the  occasion.  The  patient  was  taken  down  into  the 
cabin,  and  put  to  bed  in  his  bunk. 

When  he  was  asleep  again,  and  the  rest  of  the 
party  had  returned  to  the  deck,  the  serious  part  of 
the  affair  came  up  for  consideration ;  and  the  meet 
ing  was  so  solemn  and  momentous  that  even  the 
good  luck  of  the  two  sportsmen  was  forgotten,  and 
the  game  and  fish  were  allowed  to  remain  unnoticed 
in  the  bateau.  To  Dan  and  Lily  it  was  a  terrible 
thing  for  a  boy  like  Cyd  to  get  drunk.  It  was  very 
funny,  but  it  was  awfully  serious  in  view  of  future 
consequences. 


200  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OK 

Several  bottles  of  wine  and  liquor  had  been  depos 
ited  in  the  lockers  under  the  seats  in  the  standing 
room,  and  Cyd  had  helped  himself  as  he  sat  there 
alone.  This  was  the  key  to  his  mysterious  sickness  ; 
and  while  his  companions  congratulated  themselves 
upon  Cyd's  expected  recovery,  it  was  deemed  pru 
dent  to  place  all  the  intoxicating  beverages  on  board 
in  a  secure  place.  A  locker  in  Lily's  cabin  was 
selected  for  this  purpose,  and  it  was  soon  out  of 
Cyd's  reach. 

Dan  wanted  to  throw  all  the  liquor  overboard, 
except  a  couple  of  bottles  to  be  used  as;  medicine ; 
but  Quin  thought  that  some  use  might  be  made  of 
it  at  a  future  time.  There  was  no  one  on  board, 
except  Cyd,  who  would  drink  it ;  and  he  had  imbibed 
rather  as  a  frolic  than  because  he  had  any  taste  for 
the  fiery  article. 

The  patient  slept  all  the  rest  of  the  day  and  all 
the  following  night.  The  next  morning  he  was  af 
flicted  with  a  terrible  headache,  and  was  so  stupid 
that  he  was  good  for  nothing.  He  was  severely 
reprimanded  for  his  folly,  and  made  a  solemn  prom 
ise  never  to  partake  again ;  and  as  the  dangerous 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  201 

fluid  was  all  locked  up,  and  the  key  in  Lily's  pos 
session,  it  was  believed  that  he  would  not  violate 
his  obligation. 

Roast  ducks  and  geese,  and  fried  fish,  were  the 
food  of  the  party  for  several  days  to  come ;  and 
the  change  from  salt  provision  was  very  agreeable. 
About  once  a  week  Dan  and  Quin  repeated  the  ex 
cursion  to  the  lake,  and  almost  always  returned  with 
a  plentiful  supply  of  fish  and  game.  The  fugitives 
lived  well,  especially  as  pigeons,  partridges,  and  an 
occasional  wild  turkey  graced  their  table.  A  roast 
coon  was  not  an  unusual  luxury ;  for  by  extending 
their  hunting-grounds  in  various  directions,  they 
added  very  much  to  the  variety  of  their  larder. 

The  small  stores,  such  as  butter,  salt,  sugar,  coffee, 
and  tea,  were  exhausted  in  the  fall,  though  they  had 
been  very  carefully  expended.  They  had  been  so 
long  accustomed  to  their  luxurious  living,  that  the 
want  of  these  articles  was  felt  as  a  very  great  hard 
ship.  Their  nice  ducks  and  geese  were  absolutely 
loathsome  without  salt,  and  Dan  came  to  the  con 
clusion  that  salt  was  a  necessity,  and  that  it  must 
be  procured  at  any  risk.  About  twenty  miles  from 


202  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

the  camp  there  was  a  village  where  groceries  could 
be  obtained ;  and  after  a  great  deal  of  consideration 
it  was  decided  to  tmdertake  a  journey  for  this  pur 
pose.  They  had  been  five  months  in  the  swamp 
without  seeing  any  human  being,  though  Dan  and 
Quin,  in  one  of  their  hunting  trips,  had  heard  voices 
on  the  lake.  They  felt  entirely  secure  in  the  camp, 
and  Lily  was  not  afraid  to  remain  with  Cyd  while 
Dan  and  Quin  went  after  the  needed  supplies. 

It  was  resolved  that  Dan  should  pass  himself  off 
as  a  white  boy,  who,  with  a  party  of  hunters,  had 
encamped  in  the  woods.  He  therefore  dressed  him 
self  for  the  part  he  was  to  play,  and  embarked  in 
the  bateau  with  Quin,  who  was  to  act  as  his  servant. 
With  the  utmost  care  they  pursued  their  journey, 
and,  without  any  incident  or  accident,  came  in  sight 
of  the  village  where  they  were  to  purchase  the  stores. 
But  Dan  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  visit  the  place 
in  broad  daylight ;  so  they  concealed  themselves  in 
the  swamp,  and  slept  by  turns  till  nearly  daylight 
the  next  morning. 

This  seemed  to  be  the  most  favorable  time  to  visit 
the  store;  and  they  entered  the  village,  which  was 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  203 

called  so  by  courtesy,  for  it  had  only  six  houses. 
Putting  on  the  bold,  swaggering  air  of  a  young  south 
erner,  Dan  entered  the  place,  followed  by  his  servant. 
With  all  the  bluster  necessary  to  keep  up  his  char 
acter,  he  roused  the  shopkeeper,  and  ordered,  rather 
than  requested,  him  to  open  his  store.  Fortunately 
trade  was  not  so  lively  in  the  place  as  to  render  the 
merchant  independent  of  his  business,  and  he  gladly 
opened  his  establishment  even  at  that  unseemly  hour. 
He  asked  a  great  many  questions,  which  Dan  an 
swered  very  readily.  The  purchases  were  all  made, 
and  Dan's  funds,  though  they  amounted  to  nearly 
thirty  dollars,  were  almost  exhausted.  When  the 
stores  had  been  gathered  together,  a  new  and  ap 
palling  difficulty  presented  itself.  Dan  had  not 
intended  to  purchase  a  quarter  part  of  the  supplies 
which  were  now  piled  in  the  middle  of  the  store. 
It  was  five  miles  to  the  lake,  and  no  two  men  in 
the  universe  could  have  carried  them  that  distance. 
The  matter  was  one  of  so  much  importance,  and 
the  articles  obtained  with  so  much  greater  facility 
than  he  expected,  that  he  had  been  tempted  to 
procure  this  large  stock.  But  the  pile  was  so  large 


204  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

that  he  began  to  repent  of  the  act,  and  to  wish 
that  half  his  money  was  in  his  pocket  again.  To 
remedy  the  difficulty  he  began  to  bluster,  and  told 
the  storekeeper  that  he  must  get  a  team  and  tote 
the  goods  down  to  the  lake  for  him. 

Tha  man  objected ;  but  he  at  last  consented  to 
procure  his  neighbor's  mule  team  and  help  them  out. 
For  this  service  Dan  paid  him  two  dollars  more, 
which  entirely  collapsed  his  exchequer.  The  stores 
were  safely  deposited  in  the  bateau,  and  the  man 
drove  off,  apparently  as  well  satisfied  with  his  morn 
ing's  work  as  the  other  party  to  the  transaction. 

As  soon  as  he  was  out  of  sight  and  hearing,  Quin 
could  contain  himself  no  longer,  and  vented  his  sat 
isfaction  at  the  success  of  the  enterprise  in  the  most 
violent  and  extraordinary  manner.  He  laughed  till 
his  eyes  were  filled  with  tears,  and  had  nearly  upset 
the  overloaded  boat  by  his  extravagant  demonstra 
tions. 

"  What's  the  matter,  Quin  ?  "  demanded  Dan,  as 
tonished  at  the  conduct  of  his  usually  prudent  and 
sedate  companion. 

"  Bress  de  Lo'd,  we's  got  all  de  tings,"  exclaimed 
Quin. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  205 

"  Don't  crow  till  you  get  out  of  the  woods." 

"  Bar's  de  hard  bread,  and  de  salt,  and  de  butter 
• —  golly,  Massa  Dan,  you  done  do  dat  ting  bery 
fine." 

"  Wait  till  we  get  back  to  the  camp  before  you 
say  any  thing.  We  are  not  out  of  danger  yet." 

"But  we's  got  de  tings,  Dan  —  de  coffee,  de  sugar, 
and  de  salt." 

"  Take  your  oar  now,  and  when  we  get  back  we  11 
have  a  jolly  time." 

"  Bress  de  Lo'd,  yes,  Dan,"  said  the  delighted 
Quin,  as  he  grasped  the  oar. 

Prosperity  makes  men  careless  and  reckless.  The 
bateau  was  so  crowded  with  stores  that  the  rowers 
had  but  little  space  to  use  the  oars.  Their  progress 
was  necessarily  very  slow.  They  wanted  to  get  back 
to  the  camp  before  night,  and  instead  of  keeping 
under  the  lee  of  the  land,  where  the  boat  would 
not  be  likely  to  attract  attention,  they  proceeded  by 
the  shortest  route.  When  they  reached  the  upper 
end  of  the  lake,  and  were  within  five  miles  of  the 
camp,  they  were  startled  to  see  a  boat  put  out  from 
one  of  the  small  islands,  and  pull  towards  them. 
18 


206  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OB 

"  De  Lo'd  sabe  us !  "  exclaimed  Quin,  as  he  dis 
covered  the  boat,  which  contained  two  white  men. 

"Take  no  notice  of  them,  and  don't  speak  a 
word,"  said  Dan,  in  a  low  tone. 

"  De  Lo'd  hab  us  in  his  holy  keeping  ! "  ejacu 
lated  Quin,  reverently,  as  he  raised  his  eyes  towards 
heaven. 

"  Do  you  know  them  ?  "   asked  Dan. 

"  One  of  dem's  Massa  Longworth ;  don't  know 
de  oder,"  replied  Quin,  his  teeth  chattering  as  though 
he  had  been  suddenly  seized  with  the  ague. 

"Who  is  he?" 

"  De  oberseer  on  de  plantation  next  to  ole  massa's." 

The  overloaded  bateau  rendered  an  escape  by  fast 
rowing  impossible,  and  the  fugitives  continued  to 
pull  steadily,  as  before.  Dan  had  his  gun  in  a  posi 
tion  where  he  could  use  it  when  occasion  required. 
The  two  men  pulled  up  to  within  a  short  distance 
of  the  bateau,  and  rested  on  their  oars. 

"Where  ye  gwine  with  all  that  stuff?"  demanded 
Longworth. 

"  We  belong  to  a  party  of  gunners  up  here,"  re 
plied  Dan,  boldly ;  for  he  was  determined  to  make 
the  most  of  the  circumstances. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  207 

"Where  be  they?" 

"Up  to  Chicot  —  about  ten  miles  from  here." 

"Ha,  ha,  ha!"  laughed  Longworth,  glancing  at 
Ids  companion.  "  That's  a  good  story,  but  it  won't 
go  down." 

"  You  open  your  mouth  wide  enough  to  take  any 
thing  down,"  answered  Dan,  smartly. 

"  Can't  swallow  that  story,  no  how,"  said  the  over 
seer.  "  But  who's  that  boy  with  you  ?  " 

"  None  of  your  business.  I  don't  make  stories 
for  you  to  laugh  at." 

"  Yes,  you  do,  my  boy.  But  you  needn't  row  any 
furder.  We  want  ye  both." 

"  You  can't  have  us."    , 

"  We'll  see  about  that,"  added  the  man,  as  he 
raised  his  fowling  piece. 

"  No  use,  —  'tain't  loaded,"  snarled  the  other  man 
in  the  boat. 

"  Mine  is,"  replied  Dan,  elevating  the  piece. 

Longworth  cursed  his  companion  for  the  revela 
tion  he  had  made,  and  proceeded  to  load  the  gun. 
In  the  mean  time  Dan  dropped  his  piece,  and  began 
to  pull  again. 


208  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

"  Stop,  now.  I  don't  want  to  destroy  valuable 
property  with  this  yere  iron,  but  I  must  if  you  dcn't 
stop,"  continued  the  overseer,  as  he  finished  load 
ing  his  gun. 

"  Perhaps  I  can  destroy  as  much  valuable  property 
as  you  can,"  said  Dan,  as  he  took  his  fowling  piece 
again. 

"  You  must  come  with  me.  I  know  that  nigger 
in  the  boat  with  you,  and  I  reckon  you  belong  to 
Colonel  Raybone." 

"  I,  you  villain  !  How  dare  you  insult  me  ?  I  am 
a  free  white  man." 

"  Perhaps  you  be,  but  you've  been  advertised 
enough  to  let  any  man  in  these  yere  parts  know 
you.  That  nigger  belongs  to  my  neighbor.  If 
you've  a  mind  to  come  in  quietly,  I'll  see  you  let 
off  without  any  whippin." 

"I  have  no  mind  to  come  in,  either  quietly  or 
otherwise,"  replied  Dan. 

"Then  the  wust's  your  own;"  and  Longworth 
fired. 

The  ball  whistled  within  a  few  feet  of  Dan's,  head ; 
but,  unterrified  by  the  peril,  he  raised  his  gun  and 
fired. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  209 

"  I'm  hit ! "  groaned  Longworth,  as  he  sank  down 
into  the  boat. 

The  other  man  in  the  boat  with  Longworth  took 
the  gun,  loaded  it,  and  fired.  At  that  moment  Dan 
had  stooped  down  to  pick  up  his  shot-pouch,  and 
Quin  being  the  more  prominent  party  in  the  bateau, 
the  other  man  fired  at  him. 

"  De  Lo'd  sabe  me  ! "  groaned  Quin,  as  he  placed 
both  hands  on  his  chest. 

Dan  was  ready  to  fire  again ;  but,  to  his  aston 
ishment,  he  saw  the  man  who  had  shot  his  com 
panion  seize  the  oars  and  pull  away  from  the  spot 
as  fast  as  he  could. 

It  was  evident  that  the  fate  of  his  companion  had 
appalled  him ;  and  seeing  Dan  nearly  ready  to  dis 
charge  his  gun  again,  he  hastened  to  widen  the 
distance  between  them.  He  rowed  with  the  desper 
ation  of  a  doomed  man.  As  the  boat  receded, 
Longworth  raised  himself  up,  as  if  to  assure  the 
fugitives  that  he  was  not  dead. 

Dan  pointed  the  gun  at  the  retreating  boat  for 
Bome  time,  and  then  fired,  but  not  with  the  inten- 
18* 


WATCH     AXD     WAIT,     OR 

tion  of  hitting  his  savage  foes.  They  were  slave- 
drvvers,  but  he  did  not  wish  to  kill  them. 

The  boat  shortly  disappeared,  and  Dan  turned 
his  attention  to  his  wounded  companion.  The  ball 
had  passed  through  his  lungs,  and  had  penetrated  a 
vital  organ.  Deeply  affected  by  the  event,  he  did 
what  he  could  to  stanch  the  blood  ;  but  poor  Quin 
was  past  the  aid  of  any  surgery,  and  breathed  his 
last  a  few  minutes  later. 

Fearful  that  other  pursuers  might  soon  appear, 
Dan  worked  the  boat  up  the  bayou  as  rapidly  as 
he  could  alone ;  but  it  was  late  at  night  when  he 
reached  the  camp.  Then  he  wept ;  then  the  tears 
of  Lily  mingled  with  his  own  over  the  corpse  of  the 
honest  and  faithful  Quin,  whose  spirit  had  soared 
aloft,  where  the  black  man  is  as  free  as  his  white 
oppressor. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  211 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

ZILY    ON    THE   WATCH. 

THE  death  of  poor  Quin  filled  his  companions  with 
Borrow  and  dismay.  There  was  weeping  all  night 
long  on  board  of  the  Isabel.  He  had  been  a  true  and 
faithful  friend  to  each  individual  of  the  party,  and 
they  were  all  sincerely  and  devotedly  attached  to 
him.  With  this  sad  bereavement  came  the  sense  of 
personal  peril,  for  those  who  had  slain  their  associate 
would  not  be  content  till  they  had  driven  his  compan 
ions  from  their  covert,  and  shed  their  blood  or  again, 
reduced  them  to  slavery. 

Lily  was  disposed  to  abandon  all  her  hopes  in  de 
spair,  and  Cyd  trembled  with  fear  as  he  thought  of 
what  the  next  day  or  the  next  week  might  bring 
forth.  But  the  energy  and  firmness  of  Dan  soon 
quieted  their  fears,  and  restored,  in  some  measure,  the 
confidence  which  had  before  prevailed  in  the  camp. 


212  WATCH     AND    WAIT,     OR 

"  We  have  defeated  the  slave-hunters  twice,  and  Ave 
can  do  it  again,"  said  he,  as  he  rose  from  his  seat  at 
the  cabin  table,  around  which,  as  Dan  ate  his  supper, 
the  party  had  considered  their  sad  and  perilous  condi 
tion. 

"It's  terrible  to  think  of  poor  Quin,"  said  Lily. 
"  He  was  so  good  and  kind." 

"  And  we  have  one  arm  less  to  assist  in  our 
defence.  Don't  cry  any  more,  Lily.  I'm  afraid  we 
haven't  seen  the  worst  of  it  yet." 

"  Can't  we  do  something  ?  Can't  we  get  away 
from  this  place  ? "  asked  Lily. 

"  That  is  impossible.  The  water  is  too  low  to 
float  the  Isabel  down  to  the  lake,  even  if  she  were 
ready  to  go.  It  will  take  several  days  to  rig  her,  and 
put  her  in  order  for  our  voyage." 

"  What  will  become  of  us  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know.  I  hope  for  the  best.  Don't  cry, 
Lily.  I  am  not  afraid  of  any  thing.  If  we  are  reso 
lute,  we  can  defend  ourselves  if  the  slave-hunters 
should  find  us,  which  I  don't  think  they  can." 

"  It's  awful  to  think  of  fighting  and  being  shot," 
murmured  Lily,  as  she  cast  a  tender  glance  at  Dan. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.'  213 

"  I  thought  of  all  these  things  before  we  started, 
and  I  will  not  shrink  from  them  now.  But  come, 
Cyd  ;  we  must  go  to  work  and  unload  the  bateau." 

The  stores,  which  had  been  procured  at  such  a  ter 
rible  sacrifice,  were  taken  on  board  the  Isabel,  while 
the  body  of  poor  Quin  was  laid  upon  the  trunk  cabin, 
and  covered  up  with  a  blanket.  As  they  lifted  the 
lifeless  form  from  the  bateau,  Dan  could  not  but 
recall  the  extravagant  joy  of  the  deceased  when  the 
stores  were  safely  embarked.  The  scene  which  fol 
lowed  was  a  sad  commentary  on  the  hopes  which  the 
honest  fellow  had  cherished  only  a  few  hours  before. 

It  was  necessary  that  the  corpse  should  be  buried 
that  night,  for  the  weather  was  warm,  and  none  knew 
what  were  to  be  the  events  of  the  coming  day.  A 
suitable  spot  was  selected  on  one  of  the  adjacent 
islands,  where  Cyd  and  Dan  dug  a  shallow  grave. 
The  remains  of  poor  Quin,  wrapped  in  the  blanket, 
were  then  conveyed  in  the  bateau  to  the  spot,  and  de 
posited  in  their  final  resting-place.  By  the  dim  light 
of  the  lantern,  Dan  read  a  chapter  from  his  Testa 
ment,  and  then  all  of  them  knelt  around  the  grave. 
No  audible  prayers  were  repeated,  but  the  hearts  of 


214  WATCH    AND    WAIT,     OB 

these  sincere  mourners  were  filled  with  the  spirit  of 
prayer  ;  and  He  who  wants  no  vain  words  to  praise 
Him,  accepted  the  solemn  but  silent  service. 

The  grave  was  filled,  and  the  fugitives  used  all 
their  ingenuity  to  conceal  the  broken  ground,  that  it 
might  not  betray  them  to  the  ruthless  slave-hunters, 
who  might  soon  visit  the  spot.  With  sad  hearts  they 
returned  to  the  camp.  Dan  was  nearly  exhausted  by 
the  fatigue  and  anxiety  of  the  last  two  days  ;  but  he 
could  not  sleep  while  there  was  any  thing  to  be  done 
to  prepare  for  the  expected  visit  of  the  slave-hunt 
ers.  His  first  care  was  to  put  all  the  arms  and 
ammunition  in  readiness.  He  then  showed  Lily 
how  to  load  a  gun,  that  she  might  assist  them  in 
the  defence. 

On  the  islands  they  had  collected  a  great  quantity 
of  logs,  to  serve  them  for  fuel  during  the  winter. 
These  were  carried  upon  the  deck  of  the  Isabel,  and 
so  arranged  as  to  form  a  kind  of  breastwork,  to  shield 
the  boys  from  the  bullets  of  the  enemy.  By  noon  on 
the  following  day,  every  thing  that  could  be  thought 
of  to  conceal  or  defend  the  camp  had  been  done. 
They  were  ready  for  the  slave-hunters  then,  and  if 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  215 

Quin  had  only  been  with  them,  they  would  have  felt 
confident  of  the  result  of  an  attack. 

In  the  afternoon  Dan  was  so  worn  out  that  he 
could  endure  no  more,  and  at  Lily's  urgent  request  he 
went  below,  and  was  soon  asleep.  Cyd  was  fully 
alive  to  the  necessities  of  the  occasion.  He  kept  his 
eyes  and  ears  wide  open,  but  he  neither  saw  nor 
heard  any  thing  that  indicated  the  approach  of  an 
enemy.  Lily,  though  very  much  alarmed,  was  as 
resolute  as  her  companions ;  for  she  knew  and  felt 
what  slavery  would  be  if  its  shackles  were  again  fas 
tened  upon  her.  She  was  a  gentle,  timid,  shrinking 
girl ;  but  she  was  determined  to  die  rather  than  be 
restored  to  the  tyranny  of  her  capricious  mistress, 
and  the  more  terrible  fate  which  would  eventually 
overtake  her. 

The  long,  gloomy  night  that  followed  passed  away, 
the  anxious  watchers  still  keeping  vigil  by  turns 
upon  the  deck  of  the  Isabel.  The  next  day,  while 
Lily  was  keeping  watch,  both  Dan  and  Cyd  being 
asleep  in  the  cabin,  she  heard  the  dip  of  oars  in 
the  bayou.  Her  heart  beat  a  furious  tattoo  against 
her  ribs,  and  she  almost  sank  with  horror,  as  she 


216  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

listened  to  the  sounds  which  indicated  the  approach 
of  the  dreaded  enemy.  It  was  her  duty  to  call  Dan  ; 
but  she  seemed  to  be  riveted  to  her  seat.  The 
sounds  came  nearer  and  nearer,  and  soon  she  could 
hear  the  voices  of  the  slave-hunters.  She  could 
distinguish  the  curses  that  fell  from  their  lips  as 
they  advanced,  and  she  was  faint  and  sick  with 
apprehension. 

The  Isabel  was  moored  at  some  distance  from  the 
bayou,  which  led  to  the  lake ;  but  through  the  dense 
foliage  which  shrouded  the  boat,  she  could  discover  the 
slave-hunters.  They  were  now  not  forty  rods  distant, 
and  the  slightest  sound  might  betray  their  hiding- 
place.  With  quivering  lips  and  trembling  limbs,  she 
peered  through  the  bushes  to  ascertain  whether  the 
boat  turned  up  the  channel  which  le'd  to  the  camp. 
It  was  a  moment  of  terrible  suspense ;  a  moment 
fraught  with  the  issues  of  freedom  or  slavery  —  life 
or  death. 

Why  did  she  not  call  her  companions,  who  were 
sleeping  peacefully  in  the  cabin,  while  she  was  torn 
and  distracted  by  these  agonizing  fears  ?  She  darsd 
not  do  so,  lest  one  of  them  should  speak  and 


THE      YOUNG      FUGITIVES.  217 

betray  them  all.  Cyd  was  impetuous,  and  a  word 
from  him  might  render  futile  the  labors  and  the  perils 
of  months. 

Hardly  daring  to  breathe  lest  it  should  undo  them, 
she  watched  the  progress  of  the  boat.  The  slave- 
hunters  paused  at  the  mouth  of  the  channel,  con 
sulted  for  a  few  moments,  and  then  the  bow  of  the 
boat  was  turned  towards  the  camp.  With  a  gasp  of 
horror,  Lily  crouched  down  upon  the  floor  of  the  stand 
ing  room,  and  crept  towards  the  cabin  door.  A  torrent 
of  despair  seemed  to  be  turned  loose  upon  her  soul. 
She  grasped  the  side  of  the  cabin  door,  when  sud 
denly  all  her  strength  forsook  her,  and  she  sank 
senseless  upon  the  floor.  The  terrible  agony  of  that 
tremendous  moment  was  more  than  she  could  endure, 
and  she  fainted. 

The  frail  and  delicate  Avatcher  had  failed  in  the 
important  duty  she  had  assumed  at  the  very  instant 
when  her  warning  notes  were  most  needed,  and  the 
fugitives  were  then  apparently  at  the  mercy  of  the 
slave-hunters.  Dan  slept,  Cyd  slept ;  both  wearied 
out  with  watching  and  hard  work,  all  unconscious 
that  their  gentle,  willing  sentinel  had  failed  them, 
19 


218  WATCH      AND      WAIT,      OR 

and  that  the  fiends  they  dreaded  were  within  pistol 
shot  of  their  retreat.  They  slept,  and  were  silent. 
Lily,  senseless  upon  the  floor  of  the  standing  room, 
pale  and  motionless  as  a  marble  statue  chiselled  in 
the  form  of  angelic  beauty,  was  silent  as  the  grave. 
Xot  a  breath  of  air  stirred  the  forest  leaves,  not  a 
ripple  agitated  the  waters.  It  was  perfect  stillness 
in  the  camp.  There  was  no  sound  to  disturb  the 
solemn  quiet  of  that  temple  of  nature,  save  the 
ribald  speech  of  the  slave-hunters,  mingled  with 
fiendish  curses. 

There  was  none  to  keep  watch  and  ward  in  the 
camp  of  the  fugitives  —  none  but  He  who  watches 
over  the  innocent  when  they  sleep  and  when  they 
wake.  He  was  there  keeping  ceaseless  vigil  by  the 
senseless  maiden,  and  over  the  sleeping  boys.  "  He 
floeth  all  things  well ; "  and  the  very  silence  that 
reigned  in  the  camp  saved  the  fugitives  from  the 
keen  scrutiny  of  the  enemy. 

The  hunters  remained  in  the  vicinity  for  a  few 
noments,  and  finding  no  clew  to  the  fugitives, 
turned  their  boat,  and  went  back  to  the  bayou.  They 
proceeded  up  the  stream  a  few  miles  farther,  and 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  219 

,  abandoning  the  search  in  this  direction,  returned 
to  the  lake. 

Still  Dan  slept,  and  Cyd  slept,  and  Lily  still  lay 
silent  in  marble  stillness  upon  the  floor  at  the  door  of 
the  cabin. 


220  WATCH     AXU     WAIT,     OK 


CHAPTER     XX. 

PREPARING    FOR    THE    VOYAGE. 

THE  deep  silence  which  pervaded  the  camp  was 
first  broken  by  Dan.  He  woke  slowly  from  his  pro 
found  slumbers,  looked  about  him  for  a  moment, 
then  glanced  at  Cvd,  who,  contrary  to  his  usual  cus 
tom,  did  njc  snore.  Every  thing  was  still ;  his  ear 
was  not  saluted  with  the  sharp  crack  of  a  slave- 
hunter's  rifle,  and  no  curses  disturbed  the  solemn 
silence  of  the  place.  Every  thing  seemed  to  be 
secure,  and  he  wondered  that  the  enemy  had  not  yet 
appeared. 

He  was  tempted  to  turn  over  and  go  to  sleep,  for 
he  still  felt  very  weary,  and  his  repose  had  not  re 
stored  his  wonted  vigor.  But  he  concluded  to  go  on 
deck,  as  every  prudent  skipper  should,  before  he  fin 
ished  his  nap.  Rising  leisurely  from  his  bunk,  he 
made  his  way  to  the  standing  room  where  he  was 


THE     YOUN'G     FUGITIVES.  221 

almost  paralyzed  at  the  discovery  of  Lily  lying  appar 
ently  dead  upon  the  floor. 

Dan  was  prompt  and  decided  in  action  ;  and  taking 
the  insensible  girl  in  his  arms,  he  placed  her  upon  the 
cushioned  seat.  Tremulous  with  emotion,  he  bent 
over  her  to  ascertain  whether  his  worst  fears  were  to 
be  realized.  Her  heart  beat ;  there  was  life,  and 
there  was  hope. 

"  Cyd !  Cyd  !  "  shouted  he,  in  tones  which  would 
have  roused  a  sleepier  boy  than  his  fellow-fugitive,  and 
which,  had  it  been  heard  a  quarter  of  an  hour  sooner, 
would  have  brought  the  slave-hunters  upon  them.- 

Cyd  leaped  from  his  couch  as  the  imperative  tones 
of  Dan  reached  his  ears,  fully  believing  that  the 
enemy,  for  whom  they  had  been  so  patiently  pre 
paring,  was  upon  them.  Seizing  a  gun  which  lay 
upon  the  table,  he  rushed  aft,  ready  to  do  his  share  in 
the  impending  battle. 

"  Wha — wha  —  whar's  de  nigger-hunters?"  de 
manded  he,  furiously. 

"  They  are  not  here  ;  there  is  no  danger,"  replied 
Dan,  calmly,  as  he  continued  to  rub  the  temples  of 
Lily. 

19* 


822  WATCH     AXD     WAIT,    OR 

"  Possifus  !  Wha  —  wha  —  what's  de  matter  wid 
Missy  Lily  ?  "  cried  he,  as  soon  as  he  saw  the  insensi 
ble  form  of  the  maiden. 

"  Bring  me  a  pitcher  of  water,  Cyd." 

"  Is  she  dead  ?  "  gasped  the  poor  fellow,  as  he  ob 
tained  a  better  view  of  the  pale  face  of  Lily. 

"  No,  no  ;  bring  me  the  water  —  quick." 

Cyd  obeyed  the  order,  and  Dan  sprinkled  her  face 
with  the  contents  of  the  pitcher.  He  then  left  her 
for  a  moment  to  procure  some  lavender  in  her  cabin. 
Though  not  a  very  skilful  nurse,  he  had  seen  a  lady 
faint,  and  knew  what  to  do  upon  such  an  emergency. 
He  applied  the  lavender  and  the  cold  water  so  vigor 
ously,  and  yet  so  tenderly,  that  Lily  soon  began  to 
show  signs  of  retu  ning  consciousness. 

"  What's  de  matter  wid  her  ?  "  demanded  Cyd  for 
the  tenth  time,  for  Dan  was  too  busy  to  waste  time  in 
answering  idle  questions. 

"  She  is  better,"  mused  Dan,  as  he  pushed  back 
the  curls  that  had  strayed  forward  upon  the  patient's 
face. 

"  Hossifus  !  Dis  chile  knows  what  ails  Missy 
Lily,"  continued  Cyd,  opening  his  mouth  to  the 


THE     YOU>-G     FUGITIVES.  22S 


utmost  of  its  tension,  and  exhibiting  all  its  wealth  of 
ivory. 

"  What's  the  matter  with  you,  Cyd  ?  Shut  your 
mouth,  and  behave  like  a  decent  man,"  added  Dan, 
rebuking  the  levity  of  his  companion. 

"  Gossifus  !  Dis  chile  knows  all  about  dat  ;  been 
dar  hisself,"  chuckled  Cyd.  "  Dis  chile  neber  tink 
Missy  Lily  drink  too  much  whiskey." 

"  Silence  !  you  rascal  !  How  dare  you  think  such 
a  thing  !  "  replied  Dan,  sternly  ;  for  he  was  vexed 
enough  to  pitch  Cyd  overboard  for  indulging  in 
such  a  suspicion. 

"  Mossifus  !     Dat's  jus  de  way  dis  chile  was." 

"  Silence  !  She  has  fainted.  She  is  better  now. 
See  !  She  is  opening  her  eyes." 

Dan  continued  to  bathe  the  temples  of  Lily  with 
lavender  till  her  .  consciousness  returned,  and  the  ter-* 
rible  incident  which  had  preceded  her  fainting  was 
present  to  her  mind.  Suddenly,  as  Dan  left  her  for  a 
moment,  she  sprang  upon  her  feet,  and  rushed  to  the 
place  where  she  had  stood  gazing  at  the  approaching 
boat. 

"  Where  are  they  ?  "  gasped  she. 


224  WATCH     AXD     WAIT,    OR 

"  Lie  down  again,  Lily.  You  are  too  weak  to 
stand,"  interposed  Dan,  as  he  put  his  arms  around 
her  waist  to  support  her. 

"  Where  are  they  ?  O,  we  are  all  lost ! "  ex 
claimed  she. 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  lost  ?  " 

"  Where  are  they  ?  " 

"  Who,  Lily  ?     What  is  the  matter  with  you  ?  " 

"  Haven't  you  seen  them,  Dan  ?  " 

"  Seen  whom  :  " 

"  The  slave-hunters  !  "  gasped  Lily. 

"  I  haven't  seen  any  one,"  replied  Dan,  calmly  ;  for 
ne  began  to  fear  that  the  mind  of  his  fair  charge  was 
affected. 

"  They  are  here  —  close  by  us,  Dan.  We  shall  all 
be  taken." 

"  There  is  no  danger,  Lily.  We  are  perfectly  safe. 
Be  calm,  my  dear.  You  have  been  dreaming." 

"  No,  I  have  not  been  dreaming.  I  haven't  even 
be^n  asleep.  It  was  all  real ;  but  I  have  been  a 
faithless  sentinel." 

"  Now  you  are  better,  Lily,  tell  me  all  about  it," 
continued  Dan,  seating  her  upon  the  cushions. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  225 

Lily  related  the  incident  which  had  transpired 
while  her  companions  were  asleep  below ;  but  Dan 
could  hardly  believe  so  strange  a  story,  and  insisted 
that  she  must  have  dropped  asleep  and  dreamed  it. 

"  I  know  I  was  not  asleep." 

"  Why  didn't  you  call  me  ?  " 

"  I  was  afraid  that  some  noise  might  attract  the 
attention  of  the  slave-hunters,  and  I  deferred  it  till  I 
was  sure  they  would  discover  us.  Then  I  wras  creep 
ing  on  the  floor,  so  that  they  should  not  see  me,  to 
the  cabin,  when  I  fainted." 

"  Hossifus  !  "  gasped  Cyd,  appalled  at  the  narrow 
escape  of  the  party. 

"  Don't  you  believe  me,  Dan  ?  I  am  very  sure  I 
was  not  asleep,"  added  Lily,  earnestly. 

Dan  was  compelled  to  believe  the  story,  and  he 
shuddered  as  he  thought  of  the  peril  that  had  men 
aced  them  while  they  were  all  so  helpless.  Though 
he  concluded  that  it  was  not  safe  to  trust  Lily  on  the 
watch,  he  did  not  utter  a  word  of  reproof  to  her  for 
not  calling  him  sooner. 

"  You  think  I  did  wrong,  Dan,  not  to  call  you.  I 
Know  you  do,  though  you  will  not  blame  me." 


226  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

"  I  can't  help  thinking  what  might  have  happened 
if  the  slave-hunters  had  found  us  while  we  were  all 
asleep,"  replied  Dan,  seriously.  "  But  I  will  not 
blame  you,  Lily." 

"  The  slave-hunters  did  not  find  us.  I  think  it  was 
all  for  the  best,  Dan,  that  I  fainted." 

"  Indeed  ?  " 

"  If  I  had  waked  you  and  Cyd,  you  might  have 
made  a  noise  that  would  have  exposed  us,"  answered 
Lily,  very  solemnly.  "  I  think  it  was  the  good  God 
that  took  my  strength  away  in  order  to  preserve 
us  all." 

"  It  may  be ;  but  I  had  rather  be  awake  when  there 
is  any  danger." 

"  If  you  had  been  awake,  you  might  have  been 
shot ;  and  then  what  would  have  become  of  us  ?  " 

Lily  was  fully  satisfied  that  her  fainting  was  a  spe 
cial  providence,  which  had  saved  them  all  from  cap 
ture  or  death.  Dan  was  not  so  clear  upon  this  point, 
and  resolved  never  to  sle?p  again  when  there  was  a 
possibility  of  an  attack. 

For  several  weeks  after  these  exciting  incidents,  all 
the  fugitives  confined  themselves  to  the  Isabel  and  the 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  227 

islands  on  either  side  of  her.  Indeed,  between  Dan 
and  Cyd,  it  Avas  about  enough  for  them  to  do  the 
necessary  work,  and  keep  "  watch  and  watch"  during 
the  day  and  night.  As  nothing  more  was  seen  or 
heard  of  the  slave-hunters,  they  concluded  that  the 
search  had  been  abandoned,  and  they  soon  ceased  to 
dread  their  approach.  Dan  ventured  to  hunt  again, 
and  every  thing  went  off  as  before,  though  all  the 
party  missed  Quin  very  much. 

The  autumn  passed  away  ;  the  winter  came,  and 
then  the  spring.  If  our  space  would  permit  us  to 
record  the  daily  life  of  the  young  fugitives  while  they 
remained  in  the  swamp,  it  would,  no  doubt,  be  inter 
esting  to  our  readers  ;  and  for  their  sake,  no  less 
than  for  our  own,  we  regret  that  our  limits  do  not 
admit  of  this  lengthened  narrative.  They  had  many 
trials  from  cold  and  storms,  from  high  water  in  the 
bayous  and  low  water  in  the  casks,  from  alligators 
and  buzzards ;  but  they  lived  through  it  all.  Lily 
was  sick  a  fortnight,  and  Dan  a  week ;  their  fuel 
gave  out  in  the  coldest  of  the  weather ;  and  an  alliga 
tor  bit  off  the  heel  of  Cyd's  boots ;  and  a  hundred 
other  events  occurred  which  would  bear  an  extended 


228  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

recital ;  but  we  turn  from  them,  with  regret,  to  the 
closing  events  in  the  career  of  the  young  fugitives. 

With  the  high  water  in  April,  Dan  and  Cyd  went 
to  work,  in  the  most  vigorous  manner,  to  prepare  the 
Isabel  for  the  uncertain  sea  voyage  which  was  before 
her.  After  a  month  of  hard  labor  she  was  rigged, 
the  sails  bent,  her  water  casks  filled,  a  supply  of  fuel 
put  in  the  fore  hold,  and  the  remaining  stores  con 
veniently  stowed  for  the  cruise. 

On  the  fifteenth  of  May  every  thing  was  in  readi 
ness  ;  the  obstructions  in  the  channel  were  removed  ; 
and  at  sunset,  with  a  smashing  breeze,  the  Isabel 
hauled  out  of  the  channel,  and  commenced  her 
voyage. 


IHE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  229 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

DOWN     THE     LAKE. 

AT  the  period  of  which  we  write,  the  railroad 
through  the  Teche  country  had  not  been  constructed, 
and  the  population  was  very  sparsely  scattered  over 
this  region.  Most  of  the  available  land,  however, 
was  occupied ;  but,  of  course,  none  of  the  little  vil 
lages  which  spring  up  around  railroad  stations,  and 
which,  in  the  course  of  years,  grow  into  large  towns 
and  cities,  had  yet  appeared. 

With  many  doubts  and  fears  in  regard  to  the  fu 
ture,  the  young  fugitives  commenced  the  voyage  to 
the  Gulf.  It  was  seventy  miles  from  the  camp,  and 
it  was  absolutely  necessary  that  the  trip  should  be 
performed  by  night,  for  the  lake,  at  the  season  of 
high  water,  was  navigable  for  small  steamers,  which) 
with  other  craft,  occasionally  passed  over  its  turbid 
tide.  «  In  the  passage  down,  they  were  liable  to 
20 


230  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

meet  some  of  these  boats ;  and  though  the  search 
for  the  runaways  had  long  since  ceased,  the  Isabel 
might  be  recognized,  and  the  mystery  of  her  sin 
gular  disappearance  explained. 

Dan  was  determined  to  be  very  cautious,  and  to 
expose  his  party  to  no  risks  which  could  possibly 
be  avoided.  The  voyage  was  perilous  enough  at 
best,  and  he  was  not  disposed  to  trifle  with  the 
good  fortune  which  had  thus  far  attended  the  ex 
pedition.  He  knew  nothing  of  the  navigation 
of  the  lake,  or  of  the  Atchafalaya  River,  through 
which  he  must  pass  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  He 
was  therefore  exposed  to  many  perils.  The  boat 
might  get  aground  at  a  perilous  point,  which  might 
expose  them  to  an  examination  from  some  inquisi 
tive  slaveholder.  He  might  be  stopped  by  a  steamer, 
or  overhauled  by  a  boat,  and  the  fugitives  taken  into 
custody  because  they  could  not  give  a  good  account 
of  themselves. 

Then,  if  he  succeeded  in  reaching  the  Gulf,  he 
knew  that  a  day's  sail  at  the  most  would  take  him 
out  of  sight  of  land ;  and  he  had  nothing  but  a 
small  compass  and  a  map  of  the  coast  of  Texas 


THE    TOtTNG    FUGITIVES.  231 

and  Louisiana  to  guide  him.  He  had  no  expec 
tation  of  being  able  to  reach  the  free  North  in  the 
Isabel.  He  depended  upon  being  picked  up  by 
some  vessel  bound  to  New  York  or  Philadelphia ; 
and  he  had  read  the  newspapers  and  listened  to  the 
conversation  of  his  master  and  his  guests  enough 
to  know  that  shipmasters  were  very  cautious  about 
carrying  slaves  to  the  North.  But  he  had  made 
his  plans,  and  hoped  he  should  be  able  to  over 
come  even  this  most  formidable  difficulty. 

To  contend  against  all  these  adverse  circumstances, 
he  had  a  good  boat,  though  she  was  not  fully  adapted 
to  a  sea  voyage.  With  her  light  draught  she  had  but 
a  slight  hold  on  the  water ;  yet  Dan  was  an  excel 
lent  boatman,  and  trusted  in  his  skill  to  overcome 
the  deficiencies  of  his  vessel.  The  Isabel  was  well 
provisioned  for  at  least  a  month ;  and  if  the  weather 
was  even  tolerably  favorable,  he  felt  confident  that 
he  should  be  able  to  contend  successfully  against 
the  elements.  At  any  rate  he  feared  the  ocean, 
storm,  and  distance  less  than  the  insatiate  slave- 
hunters  of  the  South. 

With    these    difficulties    before    them,    the    young 


232  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OB 

fugitives  started  upon  their  uncertain  voyage.  It 
was  a  bright,  pleasant  evening,  with  a  lively  breeze 
from  the  westward.  The  long  confinement  of  the 
camp  in  the  swamp  made  the  changing  prospect 
exceedingly  exhilarating.  They  had  encountered 
perils  before,  and  the  experience  of  the  past  pre 
pared  them  for  the  trials  of  the  future.  They  had 
a  head  wind  down  the  bayou  which  led  to  the  lake, 
and  it  required  two  hours  of  hard  work  for  the  two 
boys  to  work  the  Isabel  down  to  the  open  water ; 
but  when  this  labor  was  accomplished,  the  foresail, 
mainsail,  and  jib  were  hoisted,  and  they  had  a 
fair  wind  down  the  lake. 

"  Now,  Lily,  our  voyage  is  commenced,"  said  Dan, 
as  he  seated  himself  at  the  helm. 

"  Yes  ;  and  I  am  so  glad  to  get  out  of  that  dismal 
swamp ! "  replied  she,  with  a  smile  which  spoke  the 
joy  of  her  heart. 

"  Perhaps  you  will  wish  yourself  back  again  be 
fore  many  days,  and  perhaps  before  many  hours." 

"  Do  you  think  there  is  much  danger,  Dan  ?  " 

/ 

"  We  may  not  meet  with  a  single  difficulty,  and 
we  may  be  in  danger  all  the  time.  I  cannot,  tell 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  233 

I  hope  for  the  best,  but  I  am  ready  for  the 
worst." 

"  Any  thing  is  better  than  slavery,  Dan." 

"  Even  death  itself,  Lily,"  replied  Dan,  solemnly. 

"  But  there  will  be  no  people  out  on  the  lake  in 
the  night  —  will  there  ?  " 

"  There  may  be  ;  but  we  may  not  find  a  good 
place  to  conceal  ourselves  during  the  day.  We  may 
be  discovered,  for  there  are  more  people  at  the 
lower  end  of  the  lake  than  in  the  part  where  we 
have  been." 

"  We  will  pray  to  God,  Dan,  every  day,  and  He 
will  protect  us,  as  He  has  before,"  added  Lily,  con 
fidingly. 

"  And  while  we  do  that,  we  must  be  very  care 
ful.  There  is  one  thing  I  have  been  dreading  ever 
since  we  began  to  prepare  for  this  cruise." 

"  What  is  that,  Dan  ? " 

"  You  know  Mr.  Lascelles  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  he  spends  a  week  at  Redlawn  every  year, 
and  master  used  to  stay  a  week  at  his  planta 
tion." 

"  He   lives   down    this  way  somewhere  —  I    don't 


234  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OH 

exactly  know  where.  The  Isabel,  I  think,  came 
clown  here  one  year ;  if  so,  I  am  afraid  they  will 
know  the  boat." 

"  Possifus  !  "  exclaimed  Cyd,  who  had  been  si- 
ently  listening  to  this  conversation.  "  Dey'll  ketch 
is,  for  shore." 

"  I'm  not  afraid  of  being  caught ;  but  Colonel 
Raybone  almost  always  visits  Mr.  Lascelles  in  the 
month  of  May.  Suppose  he  should  be  there,  and 
we  should  happen  to  go  near  his  plantation?" 

"  Hossifus  !  "  groaned  Cyd.  "  Massa  Raybone 
down  dar  !  Dis  chile  gubs  it  all  up  den." 

"  Don't  give  up  yet,  Cyd,"  laughed  Dan. 

"  Mossifus  !  _  If  dis  nigger  see  ole  massa,  he  done 
sink  into  de  ground,  like  a  catfish  in  de  mud." 

"  You  haven't  seen  him  yet,  Cyd ;  and  what  is 
more,  I  don't  believe  you  will  see  Aim." 

"  I  hope  not,"  added  Lily,  with  a  shudder. 

"  If  we  do,  it  will  not  alter  any  thing." 

"  What  would  you  do,  Dan  ?  " 

"  I  will  never  become  a  slave  again.  We  have 
guns  and  powder,  bullets  and  shot." 

"  Would  vou  kill  him  ? 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  2So 

"  No  man  shall  stand  between  me  and  freedom.  ! 
would  shoot  him  or  any  other  man,  if  it  wer_  riscos- 
sary  to  secure  our  safety." 

"  Gossifus  !  Shoot  Massa  Raybone  !  "  ezciaiirsd 
Cyd. 

"  I  hope  we  shall  not  be  obliged  to  fir?  trpor  ?ny 
man ;  but  I  shall  do  so,  and  you  must  CD  Uie  2>ame, 
Cyd,  if  we  are  in  danger  of  being  captared." 

"  Do  any  ting  you  say,  Dan,"  replied  Cyd.  whose 
mind  readily  settled  upon  any  policy  adopted  oy  nis 
leader. 

"  Now,  Lily,  you  had  better  turn  in,  as  Midship 
man  Raybone  used  to  say.  You  must  sieep  Avhile 
you  can,  for  you  may  have  no  rest  again  foi  several 
days." 

"  I'm  not  sleepy ;  but  you  are  going  to  Have  r  verj 
hard  time.  When  we  get  out  to  sea  >vo  snail  have 
to  run  all  the  time  -  shall  we  not?" 

"Yes  —  night  and  day." 

"  Then  when  will  you  sleep  ?  " 

"  Cyd  and  I  must  sleep  by  turns  We  shall  get 
along  very  well  if  the  weather  is  only  good  " 

About  eleven  o'clock   both  Lily  and  Cyd  retired 


236  WATCH     AND     AVAIT,    OR 

to  their  berths,  leaving  Dan  alone  on  deck.  The 
wind  held  fair  till  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing,  at  which  time  the  Isabel  was  within  ten  miles 
of  the  outlet  of  the  lake.  It  was  too  dark  for  the 
careful  skipper  to  discover  the  nature  of  the  shore, 
and  he  was  waiting  for  a  little  daylight  to  enable  him 
to  find  a  suitable  place  to  lie  up  during  the  next  day. 
The  boat  was  fully  three  miles  from  either  shore, 
when  the  wind  suddenly  died  out.  Directly  ahead, 
there  were  several  small  islands,  but  they  were 
farther  off  than  the  main  shore. 

The  first  of  the  skipper's  trials  seemed  to  have 
overtaken  him ;  but  he  did  not  permit  himself  to 
despair.  He  hoped,  when  the  sun  rose,  a  breeze 
would  come,  and  enable  him  to  find  some  hiding- 
place  for  the  day.  There  was  nothing  to  do  but 
watch  and  wait,  and  Dan  reclined  upon  the  cush 
ioned  seat  to  meditate  upon  the  uncertainties  before 
them. 

There  was  not  a  breath  of  air  upon  the  lake,  and 
the  sails  hung  motionless  in  their  places.  Lily  and 
Cyd  still  slept,  and  Dan  did  not  call  them ;  for  he 
was  willing  to  spare  them  even  an  hour's  useless  anx- 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  237 

iety.  The  moments  hung  heavily  upon  the  impatient 
skipper ;  but  at  last  the  daylight  came,  and  he  had  a 
chance  to  study  the  situation.  On  the  shore  at  his 
left  there  was  a  sugar  plantation,  the  mansion  of 
which  was  built  within  a  short  distance  of  the  water ; 
for  here,  as  in  the  vicinity  of  Redlawn,  the  highest 
land  was  nearest  to  the  streams.  But  the  estate  was 
three  miles  distant,  and  he  hoped  that  the  Isabel 
would  not  attract  the  attention  of  the  people  on  the 
place. 

The  sun  rose,  but  no  wind  came  to  gladden  the 
heart  of  the  impatient  and  anxious  skipper.  The 
active  life  of  the  plantation  had  commenced.  He 
could  see  the  smoke  curling  up  from  the  chimneys  of 
the  cook-house  near  the  mansion ;  and  in  different 
parts  of  the  lake  he  counted  three  boats  moving 
about  near  the  shore.  These  signs  produced  an  in 
tense  uneasiness  in  his  mind,  which  was  not  lessened 
by  the  appearance  of  Lily,  who  came  upon  deck 
about  this  time. 

While  he  was  explaining  to  her  the  nature  of  their 
Unpleasant  position,  the  smoke  of  a  little  steamer  wag 
seen  beyond  the  islands.  She  soon  came  in  sight, 


238  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

and  was  headed  directly  towards  the  spot  where  the 
Isabel  lay  becalmed.  Dan  and  his  fair  companion 
were  appalled  by  this  new  danger ;  for  a  suspicion 
in  the  mind  of  any  person  on  board  the  steamer 
could  hardly  fail  of  being  fatal  to  them.  But  Dan 
was  soon  prepared  to  make  the  best  of  the  circum 
stances. 

"  Cyd,  Cyd ! "  called  he,  as  he  rushed  into  the 
cabin. 

"  Wha  —  wha  —  what's  de  matter  ?  "  stammered 
Cyd,  springing  to  his  feet. 

"  Go  on  deck  at  once,"  replied  Dan,  as  he  slung 
the  powder-horn  and  shot-pouch  over  his  shoulders, 
and  took  one  of  the  fowling  pieces. 

Cyd  was  on  deck  before  him,  and  discovered  the 
nature  of  the  danger  which  menaced  them.  The 
bateau,  which  had  been  placed  upon  deck,  was 
launched,  and  Cyd  was  directed  to  get  into  it  with 
the  oars,  and  pull  off  a  few  rods  from  the  Isabel. 

"  Now,  Lily,  you  must  go  to  your  cabin,  close  the 
door,  and  on  no  account  show  yourself  while  the 
steamer  is  in  sight,''  said  Dan. 

"  But  what  are  you  going  to  do,  Dan  ?  "  asked  she, 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  239 

with  an  expression  of  the  deepest  concern.  "  Are 
you  going  to  shoot  any  one  ? " 

"  No,  dear,"  replied  Dan,  with  a  smile  at  her  fears  ; 
"  I  am  going  to  pretend  to  be  a  sportsman.  As  we 
can't  get  out  of  the  way  of  the  steamer,  I  intend  to 
be  as  bold  and  impudent  as  I  can.  There,  go  to 
your  cabin  now,  and  we  will  hope  for  the  best." 

Lily  retired  to  the  cabin,  closed  the  door  after 
her,  and  threw  herself  on  her  knees  to  pray  for  the 
safety  of  herself  and  her  friends  during  the  impend 
ing  peril.  In  the  mean  time,  Dan  walked  up  and 
down  the  deck,  with  the  gun  in  his  hand,  apparently 
looking  in  all  directions  for  game.  Just  as  the  steam 
boat  came  within  hailing  distance  of  the  Isabel,  a 
couple  of  brant  fortunately  flew  over,  and  Dan  fired. 
His  practice  in  the  swamp  had  made  him  a  very  good 
marksman,  and  he  was  so  lucky  as  to  bring  down  one 
of  the  birds.  Cyd,  as  before  instructed,  pulled  with 
all  his  might  to  the  spot  where  the  game  had  fallen. 

"  Possifus  !  "  shouted  he  ;  "  massa  fotch  dat  bird 
down,  for  shore  !  " 

When  he  uttered  this  exclamation  the  bateau  was 
within  a  few  yards  of  the  steamer,  and  the  few  pas- 


240  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

sengers  on  board  of  her,  anxious  to  see  the  sport, 
hastened  to  the  boiler  deck,  and  thus  obtained  a  full 
view  of  the  Isabel,  as  she  rounded  in  under  her  stern, 
on  her  way  to  the  plantation,  where  she  evidently 
intended  to  make  a  landing. 

"  Any  news  below  ? "  shouted  Dan,  hailing  the 
steamer  as  she  approached. 

"  By  Heaven !  that's  my  boat  and  my  boy ! " 
exclaimed  a  gentleman  on  the  boiler  deck,  as  the 
steamer  glanced  by  the  Isabel.  "  Stop  the  boat ! 
Stop  her !  " 

It  was  Colonel  Raybone ! 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  241 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

THE     ISABEL     HUNS     THE     GANTLET. 

DAN  heard  the  words  of  the  gentleman  on  the 
boiler  deck  of  the  Terre  Bonne, — 'for  that  was  the 
name  of  the  steamer, —  and  at  once  recognized  his  mas 
ter.  The  worst  fear  that  he  had  entertained  was  fully 
realized.  That  unfortunate  calm  had  betrayed  him 
into  the  hands  of  his  enemy.  But  he  was  fully  de 
termined  to  carry  out  his  resolution,  and  fight  for  life 
and  liberty,  even  if  he  had  to  contend  against  the 
whole  force  of  the  steamer. 

It  appeared  that  the  request,  or  rather  the  com 
mand,  of  Colonel  Raybone  to  stop  the  boat  was  not 
immediately  complied  with  ;  for  she  continued  on  her 
course  for  several  minutes  before  her  wheels  ceased  to 
revolve,  and  when  she  did  stop  she  was  fully  a  quar 
ter  of  a  mile  from  the  Isabel.  By  this  time  Cyd 
returned  with  the  bird  which  the  sportsman  had 
21 


242  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

killed,  and  Dan  announced  the  appalling  fact  that 
Colonel  Raybone  was  on  board  of  the  steamer,  and 
had  recognized  him  and  the  boat. 

"  Possifus  !  "  exclaimed  Cyd,  leaping  upon  the  deck 
of  the  Isabel.  "  Wha  —  wha  —  what  we  gwine  to 
do?" 

"  Take  this  gun,  and  do  as  I  do,"  replied  Dan,  as 
he  went  into  the  cabin  after  the  rifle. 

"  Gwine  to  shoot  him  !"  groaned  Cyd.  "  Hossifus  ! 
gwine  to  shoot  ole  Massa  Raybone  !  " 

"  Do  you  want  to  go  back  to  Redlawn  with  him, 
Cyd  ?  "  demanded  Dan,  with  compressed  lips. 

"  Don't  want  to  go  back,  for  shore.  Gossifus ! 
Dis  chile's  a  free  man  now." 

"  Then  use  your  gun  when  I  tell  you." 

"  Cyd  do  dat,  for  sartin,"  replied  he,  examining 
the  lock  of  the  fowling  piece.  "  Mossifus  !  Dis  nig 
ger  shoot  de  whole  crowd  if  you  says  so,  Dan." 

"  Don't  fire  till  I  tell  you,  and  take  good  aim," 
added  the  skipper,  as  he  finished  loading  the  rifle. 

"  What's  the  matter,  Dan  ? "  asked  Lily,  opening 
the  cabin  door  a  little  way,  for  she  had  heard  the  stir 
ring  words  of  her  friends  on  deck. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  243 

Dan  told  her,  in  as  few  words  as  possible,  what 
had  happened,  and  the  poor  girl  nearly  fainted  when 
she  heard  the  name  of  her  master. 

"  Then  we  are  lost !  "  added  she,  in  tones  tremu 
lous  with  emotion. 

"  Not  yet,  Lily.  Be  of  good  courage,  and  don't 
show  yourself  on  deck." 

The  affrighted  maiden  threw  herself  upon  her 
knees  by  her  cot,  and  prayed  fervently  that  God 
would  interpose  his  strong  arm  to  save  them  from  the 
fate  which  now  seemed  to  be  inevitable.  While  she 
prayed,  Dan  and  Cyd  worked,  and  made  such  prepa 
rations  for  the  pending  encounter  as  their  limited 
means  would  allow.  There  was  only  a  small  number 
of  passengers  on  board  of  the  steamer,  and  the  reso 
lute  captain  of  the  Isabel  hoped  that  a  few  shots  would 
intimidate  them,  and  prevent  Colonel  Raybone  from 
rushing  upon  certain  death. 

But  the  planter  of  Redlawn  was  as  resolute  as  his 
runaway  chattel,  and  a  battery  of  artillery  would  not 
have  deprived  him  of  the  satisfaction  of  pouncing 
upon  the  fugitives.  Though  no  fear  could  deter  the 
master  from  attempting  to  recover  what  he  regarded 


244  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OE 

as  his  own  by  the  law  of  God  and  man,  it  was  other 
wise  with  the  captain  of  the  Terre  Bonne ;  for  he  de 
clared  that  he  was  in  a  tremendous  hurry  to  make  his 
trip,  having  been  detained  over  night  at  the  foot  of 
the  lake.  He  sympathized  with  Colonel  Raybone  in 
his  desire  to  recover  his  slaves  ;  but  he  positively  re 
fused  to  put  the  boat  about  and  capture  the  runaways. 

It  is  not  improbable  that  the  captain  of  the  steamer 
saw  the  guns  and  the  preparations  made  to  receive  a 
boarding  party,  and  possibly  he  reasoned  in  his  own 
mind  that  a  chance  shot  was  as  likely  to  kill  him  as 
any  other  man  on  board  ;  at  any  rate,  he  was  as  reso 
lute  in  his  refusal  as  any  of  the  resolute  parties  we 
have  already  mentioned. 

Dan  could  hardly  believe  his  senses  when  he  saw 
the  Terre  Bonne  standing  out  towards  the  landing- 
place  before  the  plantation.  When  her  wheels  started 
again,  he  nerved  himself  for  the  encounter;  for  he  sup 
posed  she  would  come  about,  and  bear  down  upon 
him.  It  was  incredible  that  Colonel  Ilaybone  should 
give  up  the  chase  without  an  effort  to  capture  (hem ; 
and  he  knew  his  master  too  well  to  think,  after  more 
consideration,  that  he  would  abandon  his  slaves  with 
out  an  energetic  effort  to  recover  them. 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  245 

* 

The  steamer  went  in  to  the  landing-place,  leaving 
Dan  to  wonder  and  rejoice  at  the  happy  turn  which 
had  taken  place  in  the  affairs  of  his  party.  He  in 
formed  Lily  of  the  altered  state  of  things  on  deck, 
and  the  devout  girl  was  happy  in  the  reflection  that 
her  prayers  had  been  so  promptly  answered. 

"  But  we  haven't  seen  the  end  of  it  yet,  Lily. 
O,  no,"  added  Dan,  "  Colonel  Raybone  will  never  give 
us  up.  He  would  spend  more  money  than  we  are  all 
worth  for  the  pleasure  of  flogging  me  for  running 
away  ;  but  he  shall  never  have  that  satisfaction.  I 
had  rather  die  here  like  a  man  than  to  be  scourged  to 
death  at  the  Dead  Oak." 

"  Can't  we  get  away  ?  Is  there  no  chance  to  es 
cape  ? "  asked  Lily,  whose  beating  heart  was  full  of 
mortal  terrors. 

"  Gossifus  !  Wha  —  wha — what's  de  reason  we 
can't  take  de  bateau  and  row  ober  to  de  shore,  and 
take  to  de  woods  ?  "  suggested  Cyd. 

"  Well,  what  then  ?  "  demanded  Dan,  calmly. 

"  Why,  den  run  like  a  possum  up  a  gum  tree." 

"With   blood-hounds  and   slave-hunters  on  your 
21* 


246  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

track.  No,  Cyd  ;  we  should  certainly  be  taken  if 
\ve  did  that." 

"  What  shall  we  do,  Dan  r "  murmured  Lily. 
"  We  shall  certainly  be  taken  if  we  stay  here." 

"  No;  we  have  beaten  off  the  slave-hunters  twice, 
and  we  can  do  it  again.  They  will  come  in  small 
boats,  and  I  will  shoot  them  down,  one  at  a  time,  if 
they  persist,"  answered  Dan,  bringing  down  the  butt 
of  the  rifle  upon  the  floor  of  the  standing  room  to 
emphasize  his  words. 

"  But  you  may  be  shot,  yourself,  Dan,"  said  Lily, 
with  a  visible  shudder. 

"  No ;  I  will  conceal  myself  behind  the  bulwarks 
when  they  come  within  range  of  my  rifle." 

"  But  can't  we  get  away  ?  Can't  we  escape  with 
out  shooting  any  of  them  ? "  pleaded  the  poor  girl, 
with  a  natural  horror  of  bloodshed. 

"  We  cannot  unless  we  have  wind." 

"  Gossifus  !  Dar  dey  come  !  "  exclaimed  Cyd, 
pointing  to  two  boats  pulling  out  from  the  landing- 
place  of  the  plantation. 

"  Heaven  protect  and  defend  us  !  "  cried  Lily.  "  I 
will  pray  for  wind  ;  I  will  pray  with  all  my  soul  for  a 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVE*.  247 

breeze,  Dan,  and  our  Father  in  heaven,  who  has  so 
often  heard  my  prayers  will  hear  me  again." 

"Stop  a  minute,  Missy  Lily;  stop  a  minute," 
interposed  Cyd,  gazing  earnestly  down  the  lake ; 
"  needn't  pray  no  more,  Missy  Lily ;  dare's  a  breeze 
coming  up  from  de  souf-east.  Hossifus !  de  breeze 
am  comin  like  a  possum  down  a  cotton  tree !  Pos- 
Bifus  !  Hossifus!  Gossifus  !  De  breeze  am  coming  !  " 
shouted  Cyd,  as  he  danced  round  the  deck  like  a 
madman.  "  Needn't  pray  no  more,  Missy  Lily.  De 
breeze  am  come." 

"  Then  I  will  thank  God  for  sending  it,"  replied 
the  poor  girl,  a  smile  of  joy  playing  radiantly  upon 
her  fair  face. 

If  Dan  was  not  so  extravagant  as  his  companion 
on  deck,  he  was  not  less  rejoiced,  especially  as  the 
wind  from  this  quarter  promised  to  be  a  strong  one. 
The  bateau  was  hastily  hoisted  upon  the  deck  of  the 
Isabel,  and  the  sails  trimmed  to  catch  the  first  breath 
of  the  coming  breeze. 

"  Mossifus !  Dat  breeze  wuth  a  hun'd  tousand 
million  dollars ! "  shouted  Cyd,  as  the  first  puff  of 
the  welcome  wind  swelled  the  sails  of  the  Isabel. 


248  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

"  It  may  be  worth  more  than  that,"  replied  Dan, 
calmly.  "  It  may  be  life  and  liberty  to  us." 

The  breeze  had  come,  and  plenty  of  it ;  but  for 
the  course  the  skipper  wished  to  lay,  it  was  dead 
ahead ;  yet  it  mattered  little  where  it  carried  them, 
if  it  only  enabled  them  to  escape  from  the  terrible 
man  who  was  the  impersonation  of  slavery  to  them. 
As  the  wind  freshened,  the  lake  was  agitated,  and  the 
Isabel  dashed  on  as  though  she  understood  the  issues 
which  depended  upon  her  speed.  In  half  an  hour 
the  pursuing  boats  could  not  be  seen ;  and  no  doubt 
they  had  abandoned  the  chase  in  despair. 

It  was  useless  to  seek  a  place  for  concealment,  for 
the  white  sails  of  the  Isabel  were  doubtless  watched 
by  scores  of  eager  eyes ;  so  Dan  ran  up  under  the 
lee  of  one  of  the  small  islands  that  dot  the  lake,  and 
came  to  anchor  there.  He  did  not  care  to  run  up 
the  lake  any  farther  than  was  necessary,  and  he  did 
not  think  it  prudent  to  beat  down  the  lake  in  the 
f  .ce  of  his  pursuers.  No  more  anxious  skipper  than 
he  of  the  Isabel  ever  paced  a  deck.  Colonel  Ray- 
bone  was  as  energetic  as  he  was  remorseless,  and 
Vvould  leave  no  means  untried  to  capture  the  fugi- 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  24$ 

tives.  Dan  was  at  first  afraid  that  he  would  charter 
the  steamer,  and  pursue  them  in  her ;  but  this  fear 
was  removed  when  he  saw  the  Terre  Bonne  steaming 
on  her  way  up  the  lake. 

The  fugitives  breakfasted  on  cold  ham  and  hard 
bread  while  the  boat  remained  at  anchor ;  but  not  for 
a  single  instant  did  the  watchful  skipper  intermit  his 
gaze  in  the  direction  in  which  he  had  last  seen  the 
pursuing  boats.  It  was  a  late  breakfast,  for  it  was 
ten  in  the  forenoon  when  it  was  finished.  But  this 
meal,  though  it  seemed  to  increase  the  vigor  and  res 
olution  of  the  party,  did  not  remove  a  particle  of 
their  anxiety  for  the  future. 

Dan,  as  we  have  before  shown,  was  a  master  of 
strategy ;  and  it  is  good  generalship  to  penetrate  the 
purposes  of  the  enemy.  Our  hero  was  all  the  time 
trying  to  do  this,  but,  of  course,  without  any  encour 
agement  of  success.  He  only  felt  sure  that  Colonel 
Raybone  would  cover  the  lake  with  boats  filled  with 
slave-hunters,  if  he  could  find  them,  and  that  every 
hour  of  delay  increased  the  peril  of  his  situation. 
He  intended  to  wait  till  night,  and  then,  under  cover 
of  the  darkness,  run  down  to  the  outlet  of  the  lake, 


250  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

and  escape  to  the  Gulf.  This  purpose  was  en. 
cumbered  by  a  terrible  doubt ;  he  feared  that  the 
south-east  wind  would  die  out  when  the  sun  went 
down,  and  that  the  fugitives  would  again  be  at  the 
mercy  of  the  slave-hunters.  The  thought  was  so 
appalling  that  Dan,  in  the  middle  of  the  afternoon, 
determined  to  run  the  gantlet  of  the  boats,  and 
trust  to  Providence  for  success.  In  a  few  moments 
after  this  decision  was  reached,  the  Isabel  was  under 
way,  and  standing,  close  hauled,  down  the  lake. 

The  south-east  wind,  having  free  course,  and  blow 
ing  fresh,  had  kicked  up  a  heavy  sea,  for  an  inland 
sheet  of  water ;  but  this  was  highly  favorable  for 
the  Isabel,  and  very  unfavorable  for  the  flatboats 
in  which  the  pursuers  chased  them.  As  Dan  had 
anticipated,  the  slave-hunters  were  on  the  alert ; 
and  as  the  Isabel  was  standing  through  a  narrow 
channel  between  two  islands,  the  two  boats,  which 
had  chased  her  in  the  morning,  dashed  out  from 
under  the  lea  of  one  of  them. 

"  Take  the  helm,  Cyd,  and  keep  her  steady  as  she 
is  ! "  said  Dan,  as  he  grasped  the  rifle. 

"  Possifus  !  "  exclaimed  Cyd  ;  but  he  promptly 
obeyed  without  further  speech. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  251 

Only  one  of  the  boats  —  that  which  contained 
Colonel  liaybone  —  was  near  enough  to  board  the 
Isabel  as  she  dashed  through  the  passage.  It  was 
evidently  the  intention  of  the  planter  to  spring  on 
board  as  she  passed  through  the  channel ;  for  he  stood 
in  the  bow  of  his  boat  with  the  painter  in  his  hand. 
One  of  the  rowers  in  the  other  boat  had  "  crabbed" 
his  oar  and  lost  it  overboard,  or  the  colonel's  plan 
would  have  succeeded. 

"Put  down  the  helm,  Cyd !  Luff,  luff!"  shouted 
Dan,  as  he  fathomed  the  purpose  of  his  master. 

"  Luff  um  'tis  !  "  replied  the  helmsman. 

The  Isabel  was  running  tolerably  free  at  the  time 
the  order  was  given,  and  when  she  luffed  up,  the 
planter's  boat  lay  directly  in  her  path.  The  next 

instant  she  struck  the  bateau  full  on  the  broadside. 

-i 

"  Possifus!  "  shouted  Cyd,  at  the  top  of  his  lungs, 
as  he  heard  the  crashing  and  snapping  of  the  pine 
boards,  that  indicated  the  destruction  of  the  planter's 
boat. 


252  WATCH     A^D     WAIT,     OB 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

COLONEL    RAYBONE    CHANGES    HIS    TDK 

THE  Isabel  dashed  furiously  on  her  way,  passing 
over  the  bateau  of  the  slave-hunters,  which  presently 
reappeared  astern  of  her.  Colonel  Raybone,  who,  in 
spite  of  his  years  and  his  habits,  was  an  active  man, 
seized  the  bowsprit  of  the  sail-boat,  as  it  bore  his  frail 
bark  beneath  the  waves  ;  and  while  Dan  and  Cyd  were 
eagerly  gazing  into  the  water  astern  of  them  in  search 
of  their  dreaded  master,  he  climbed  upon  the  forecas 
tle  of  the  Isabel,  thus  saving  himself  from  the  wreck 
and  the  water. 

"  Hossifus !  "  groaned  Cyd,  as  he  turned  to  observe 
the  course  of  the  boat,  and  discovered  upon  deck  the 
stalwart  form  of  Colonel  Raybone  —  to  him  the  most 
terrible  man  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 

The  exclamation  attracted  the  attention  of  Dan, 
and  a  glance  forward  revealed  to  him  the  desperate 


THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES.  253 

situation  of  his  party.  The  slave-master,  nearly  ex 
hausted  by  the  shock  of  the  collision,  and  his  exer 
tions  in  hauling  himself  up  to  the  deck  of  the  Isabel, 
had  failed  to  improve  the  first  moment  that  ushered 
him  into  the  presence  of  his  astonished  chattels ;  and 
the  loss  of  that  opportunity  was  the  ruin  of  his  ex 
pectations.  Dan  instantly  raised  his  rifle  ;  but  the 
old  feeling  of  awe  and  reverence  for  the  sacred  per 
son  of  his  master  prevented  him  from  firing  at  once. 

"  Hah,  you  villains  !  I've  got  you  at  last !  "  said 
Colonel  Raybone. 

Without  making  any  reply  to  this  expression  of 
rage  and  malice,  Dan  fired,  but  not  at  the  head  or  the 
heart  of  the  colonel ;  for  he  did  not  wish  to  kill  him. 
The  rifle  was  aimed  at  one  of  his  legs,  and  the  ball 
passed  through  the  fleshy  part  of  his  thigh.  Colonel 
Raybone,  with  a  volley  of  curses,  sank  upon  the  deck 
of  the  Isabel,  a  stream  of  blood  flowing  from  his 
wound.  Dan  dropped  the  rifle,  and  took  one  of  the 
fowling  pieces,  ready  to  complete  his  work  if  the  oc 
casion  should  require.  His  face  was  deadly  pale,  his 
lips  quivered,  and  his  frame  trembled,  as  though  the 
ball  had  passed  through  him,  instead  of  his  master. 
22 


254 

He  had  watched  and  waited  too  long  for  liberty  and 
true  life  to  sacrifice  all  his  hopes,  when  they  were  on 
the  point  of  being  realized,  to  a  sentimental  horror  of 
shedding  the  blood  of  a  slave-master. 

Lily,  as  soon  as  she  heard  the  report  of  the  rifle, 
opened  her  cabin  door,  and  stepped  out  into  the 
standing  room.  The  pale  face  and  quivering  lip  of 
Dan  first  attracted  her  attention ;  and  when  he  pointed 
to  the  forecastle,  she  saw  the  prostrate  form  of  her 
master,  and  sank  upon  the  seat,  overcome  with  fear 
and  horror. 

"  Don't  be  afraid,  Lily,"  said  he.  "  He  cannot 
harm  us  now." 

"  Have  you  killed  him  ?  "  gasped  she. 

"  No ;  I  did  not  intend  to  kill  him.  I  would  not 
have  fired  at  him  if  I  could  have  helped  it.  I  only 
hit  him  in  the  leg." 

"  But  he  will  die." 

"  He  may  ;  I  cannot  help  it.  We  should  have  been 
slaves  again  in  a  moment  more  if  I  had  not  fired." 

"  This  is  horrible  !  "  moaned  Lily. 

"  But  it  is  better  than  slavery,"  replied  Dan, 
firmly,  though  he  was  scarcely  less  agitated  than 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  255 

his  gentle  companion.  "  Mind  your  helm,  Cyd,  and 
go  to  windward  of  that  little  island  ahead,"  he  con 
tinued  ;  for  the  helmsman's  ideas  had  been  consider 
ably  shaken  up  by  the  stirring  events  which  had  just 

\ 

transpired. 

The  second  boat,  astern  of  the  Isabel,  was  engaged 
in  picking  up  the  oarsmen  of  the  first,  and  with  the 
fresh  breeze  there  was  no  danger  of  pursuit  from  that 
direction.  Colonel  Raybone  was  evidently  suffering 
severely  from  his  wound,  but  his  mental  tortures 
seemed  to  be  greater  than  his  physical  pain.  His 
mouth  was  still  filled  with  curses,  and  maledictions  of 
rage  and  hatred  were  poured  out  upon  the  runaways. 
He  was  so  violent  in  his  agony,  that  none  of  the 
party  dared  to  approach  him,  and  Dan  stood  with  the 
fowling  piece  in  his  hand,  ready  to  protect  himself  and 
his  companions  from  any  possible  assault.  There  he 
lay,  unable  to  rise ;  but  still  the  Isabel  dashed  on,  as 
if  reckless  of  the  terrible  scene  which  had  just  been 
enacted  upon  her  deck. 

Colonel  Raybone' s  wound  bled  freely,  and  the  loss 
of  blood  soon  moderated  his  fiery  temper.  Grad 
ually  he  calmed  down,  and  became  quite  reasonable, 


256  WATCH     AND     WAIT,    OR 

al  least  so  far  as  outward  manifestations  were  con 
cerned.  Then  Dan  ventured  to  approach  him,  though 
he  did  not  relax  his  hold  upon  the  gun,  and  took  every 
precaution  to  guard  against  any  sudden  movement  on 
the  part  of  the  sufferer. 

"  Are  you  much  hurt,  sir  ? "  asked  Dan. 

"  You  have  killed  your  master,  Dandy,"  replied  he, 
faintly,  as  he  looked  up  at  the  redeemed  chattel. 

"  I  did  not  mean  to  kill  you,  sir,  and  I  am  sorry 
you  compelled  me  to  fire  upon  you,"  added  Dan,  in 
respectful  and  sympathizing  tones. 

"  I  am  wounded  and  in  your  power  now ;  I  can  do 
nothing  more,  and  you  may  finish  me  as  soon  as  you 
please,"  groaned  Colonel  Raybone,  completely  sub 
dued  by  weakness  and  the  fear  of  death. 

"  I  do  not  wish  to  kill  you,  Colonel  Raybone,  and 
I  am  willing  to  do  all  I  can  for  you.  But  if  you 
attempt  to  make  me  a  slave  again,  I  will  shoot  you 
at  once." 

"  I  can't  harm  you  now  if  I  would,"  said  the  suf 
ferer,  faintly. 

"  Then  we  will  take  you  into  the  cabin  out  of  the 
sun,  and  do  what  we  can  for  you." 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  257 

"  Can't  you  land  me  at  Mr.  Lascelle's  plantation  ?  " 
asked  he,  lifting  his  eyes  up  with  an  expression  so 
pitiful  that  Dan  could  hardly  resist  the  petition. 

"  No,  sir.  I  dare  not  do  that,"  he  replied.  "  But 
I  will  do  all  I  can  to  save  your  life." 

Dan  then  went  aft,  and  explained  to  his  companions 
the  condition  of  Colonel  Raybone.  Lily  was  placed 
at  the  helm,  with  instructions  how  to  steer,  and  Dan 
and  Cyd,  with  a  great  deal  of  difficulty,  removed  the 
Avounded  planter  to  the  cabin.  But  he  had  lost  so 
much  blood  that  he  fainted  as  soon  as  they  had  placed 
him  upon  the  bunk.  Cyd  then  took  his  place  at  the 
helm ;  and  while  Lily  bathed  the  head  of  the  patient 
with  lavender,  Dan  examined  his  wound.  The  ball 
had  passed  entirely  through  the  fleshy  part  of  the 
thigh,  about  half  way  between  the  hip  and  the  knee. 
The  blood  flowed  steadily  from  the  two  openings,  but 
not  in  jets,  which  would  indicate  the  severing  of  an 
artery. 

Dan  was  no  surgeon,  but  he  had  ingenuity  and 
common  sense,  and  he  used  these  to  the  best  advan 
tage  his  limited  means  would  permit.  He  tore  up  one 
of  his  shirts  for  bandages,  and  Lily  made  lint  of  one' 
22* 


258  .  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

of  his  collars.  When  the  sufferer  had  recovered  from 
his  faintness  he  drank  a  glass  of  brandy,  which 
seemed  to  revive  him.  But  he  was  still  very  weak, 
and  breathed  not  a  word  of  hatred  or  malice. 

"  Hallo  !  Dan  !  Where  we  gwine  ?  "  shouted  Cyd 
from  the  deck,  who  had  come  to  a  point  in  the  lake 
where  he  required  further  failing  directions. 

The  skipper  took  his  map  and  went  on  deck. 
From  the  position  of  three  islands  laid  down  on  his 
chart,  and  which  he  identified  as  those  near  him,  he 
concluded  that  the  Isabel  had  reached  the  outlet  of 
the  lake,  which  is  the  Atchafalaya  River.  Its  coursp 
gave  him  a  fair  wind,  and  he  headed  the  boat  down 
the  stream.  As  the  sailing  of  the  boat  was  now  a 
matter  of  the  utmost  importance,  Dan  was  compelled 
to  remain  on  deck.  He  took  the  precaution  to  place 
all  the  fire-arms  on  board  in  a  safe  place,  where 
Colonel  Raybone,  if  his  condition  should  so  far  ini' 
prove  as  to  encourage  him  to  make  an  attempt  to 
obtain  possession  of  the  boat,  could  not  get  them, 
and  where  he  and  Cyd  could  get  them 

It  Avas  sunset  when  the  Isabel  entered  the  great 
bayou ;  and  as  she  dashed  on  her  course,  the  anxious 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  259 

skipper  saw  many  boats,  and  even  some  larger  craft, 
but  no  one  offered  to  molest  them.  Colonel  Ray- 
bone  remained  as  quiet  as  a  lamb.  He  was  feverish, 
and  in  much  pain,  and  all  night  long  Lily  sat  by  his 
bunk,  and  watched  over  him  as  tenderly  as  though  he 
had  been  her  dearest  friend,  instead  of  her  most  ter 
rible  enemy.  She  not  only  watched ;  she  prayed  for 
him  —  prayed  that  God  would  forgive  him,  heal  his 
wounds,  and  soften  his  heart. 

And  all  night  long  the  Isabel  sped  on  her  course, 
and  at  midnight  she  entered  the  great  bay.  Dan  was 
worn  out  with  anxiety  and  long  watching,  and  as  the 
waters  of  the  bay  were  comparatively  smooth,  the 
wind  having  subsided  to  a  gentle  breeze,  he  gave  the 
helm  to  Cyd,  and  slept  three  hours  upon  the  floor  of 
the  standing  room,  with  a  cushion  under  his  head. 

At  daybreak,  Point  au  Fer  light,  which  was 
marked  on  Dan's  map,  lay  directly  ahead  of  them. 
The  land  to  the  westward  was  low  and  swampy, 
and  with  frequent  indentations.  In  one  of  these 
Dan  came  to  anchor  about  sunrise.  He  was  much 
perplexed  to  know  what  he  should  do  with  Colonel 
Ruybone.  He  could  not  think  of  going  to  sea 


260  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

\vith  him  on  board,  and  to  send  him  back  was  to 
invits  an  immediate  pursuit. 

The  good  care  which  had  been  bestowed  upon  the 
planter  had  very  sensibly  improved  his  condition. 
After  breakfast  he  inquired  of  Dan  where  he  had 
been  for  a  year,  and  the  whole  story  of  the  residence 
in  the  swamp  was  narrated  to  him.  In  return  he 
told  the  fugitives  what  had  been  done  to  recover 
them,  and  added  that  he  was  on  his  way  from  New 
Orleans  to  Mr.  Lascelle's  plantation  when  he  dis 
covered  the  Isabel.  Colonel  Raybone  said  not  a 
word  about  reclaiming  his  property,  and  apparently 
only  cherished  the  hope  of  saving  himself. 

"  Now,  Dandy,  what  are  you  going  to  do  with 
me?"  asked  he,  when  he  had  finished  his  narrative. 

"  I  don't  know,  sir.  After  the  whipping  I  got,  I 
determined  to  run  away ;  and  I  say  now  I  would 
rather  die  than  go  back,"  replied  he. 

"  Didn't  I  use  you  well  ?  "  asked  the  colonel. 

"  As  well  as  any  master  can  use  a  slave." 

"  I  was  rather  sorry  afterwards  that  I  whipped 
you ;  but  you  were  treated  as  well  as  the  members 
of  my  own  family ;  and  so  was  Lily." 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  201 

"  But  I  was  a  slave,  and  so  was  she.  Master 
Archy  tormented  me,  and  Miss  Edith  tormented  Lily. 
I  could  have  borne  it,  perhaps,  if  I  hadn't  been 
whipped." 

"  You  have  your  revenge  now,"  added  the  planter, 
meekly.  "  I  am  in  your  power." 

"  I  don't  setk  revenge,  and  I  wouldn't  harm  you 
for  all  the  world,"  replied  Dan. 

The  proud  spirit  of  the  planter  was  subdued  by 
pain,  weakness,  and  the  fear  of  death,  and  he  was  in 
no  condition  to  think  of  resistance.  He  offered  to 
give  the  fugitives  free  papers  if  they  would  land  him 
at  any  place  where  there  was  a  surgeon,  and  from 
which  he  could  be  removed  to  Redlawn ;  but  Dan 
dared  not  run  any  risks.  The  planter  wanted  to 
know  where  they  were  going,  but  the  prudent  skip 
per  declined  to  answer  this  question. 

The  Isabel  remained  at  anchor  for  three  days,  under 
the  lea  of  the  land,  during  which  time  Colonel  Hay- 
bone  was  carefully  nursed  by  Dan  and  Lily ;  but  his 
wound  was  still  very  painful,  and  the  patient,  fearful 
of  mortification,  or  some  other  unfavorable  turn  in 
his  condition,  declared  himself  willing  to  do  any  thing 
rather  than  remain  any  longer  in  this  place. 


202  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

"  I  might  put  you  on  board  of  some  vessel  if  I 
dared  to  do  so,"  said  Dan. 

"  What  do  you  fear  ? ''  demanded  the  sufferer. 

"  If  you  should  tell  the  people  of  the  vessel  what 
we  are,  they  would  capture  us." 

"Do  you  think  I -would  do  that,  Dandy?"  asked 
he,  in  reproachful  tones. 

"  I  am  afraid  to  run  any  risks,  sir." 

"  Will  you  let  me  die  here  ?  My  wound  may  mor 
tify.  I  think  it  is  growing  worse  instead  of  better,'' 
added  he,  with  a  groan  of  anguish.  "  I  will  give 
you  my  word,  Dandy,  if  you  will  put  me  on  board 
of  any  vessel  bound  to  any  place  where  I  can  get 
home,  I  will  give  you  all  your  freedom.  If  you  are 
arrested,  send  to  me,  and  you  shall  have  free  papers. 
You  know  I  always  keep  my  word,  Dandy." 

It  was  a  terrible  necessity  which  could  extort  such 
a  declaration  from  the  imperious  planter,  and  Dan 
decided  to  accept  the  proposition.  The  anchor  was 
weighed,  and  the  Isabel  stood  out  of  the  inlet  where 
she  had  lain  for  three  days.  They  cruised  all  day 
without  meeting  a  vessel ;  but  on  the  following  morn 
ing  they  hailed  a  small  schooner  bound  up  the  bay. 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  263 

"  I  will  keep  my  promise,  Dandy,  to  the  letter," 
said  Colonel  Raybone,  as  they  bore  him  to  the  deck. 
"  Here  is  some  money,  which  you  may  want  before 
long ;  "  and  he  handed  Dan  a  roll  of  bills. 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  replied  he.  "  I  hope  we  part 
friends." 

"  Yes,  Dandy ;  and  if  you  ever  want  a  friend, 
come  to  me." 

The  crew  of  the  schooner  asked  a  great  many 
questions,  all  of  which  Colonel  Raybone  took  it  upon 
himself  to  answer.  He  was  placed  in  the  cabin  of 
the  vessel,  and  Dan,  bidding  him  good  by,  hastened 
back  to  the  Isabel.  They  parted  in  peace,  and  Lily 
could  not  restrain  her  tears  as  the  schooner  bore 
away  on  her  course. 


204  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     UK 


CHAPTER     XXIV. 

THE    YOUNG    FUGITIVES    MAKE    A    HARBOR. 

"  COLONEL  RAYBOXE  is  not  a  bad  man,  after  all," 
said  Dan,  as  the  Isabel  filled  away. 

"  He  wouldn't  be,  if  he  wasn't  a  slaveholder," 
replied  Lily. 

"  Possifus !  I  feel  'tickler  sorry  for  ole  massa, 
when  he  lay  dar  and  couldn't  help  hisself,"  added 
Cyd. 

"  If  he  could  have  helped  himself,  he  wouldn't  have 
lain  there.  I  never  saw  such  a  change  come  over  a 
man.  He  will  be  ashamed  of  himself,  I  know, 
\,hen  he  gets  well,  and  it  will  be  lucky  for  us 
\1i-.\t  we  are  out  of  his  reach." 

"  He  would  keep  his  word,  Dan  ;  you  know  that," 
s-iU  Lily,  whose  looks  seemed  to  contain  a  mild  re 
buke  of  the  sentiment  just  uttered. 

"  He  would  ;  at  least,  he  wouldn't  wish  to  break 
his  word ;  but  he  will  want  me  as  soon  as  he  gets  to 
be  Colonel  Raybone  again." 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES.  HGo 

"  Why,  lie  was  always  good  to  us,"  responded 
Lily. 

"  He  was  always  liberal  and  generous,  and  treated 
all  the  people  well,  while  they  behaved  to  suit  him." 

"  They  ought  to  behave  well." 

"  I  had  to  fawn  and  cringe  before  him,  and  before 
Archy.  If  I  dared  to  say  my  soul  was  my  own,  I 
was  punished  for  it.  What  did  I  get  whipped  for  ?  " 

"  For  striking  Archy." 

"  Well,  why  did  I  strike  him  ?  Didn't  he  insist 
upon  my  striking  him  ?  and  when  he  came  at  me  like 
a  madman,  because  I  happened  to  hit  him  rather 
harder  than  I  intended,  I  was  tied  up  to  the  Dead  Oak, 
and  whipped  like  a  mule.  I  shall  carry  the  marks  of 
that  day  to  my  grave,"  continued  Dan,  earnestly. 

"  But  he  has  changed." 

"•  He  was  afraid  he  was  going  to  die,  and  he  was  in 
my  power.  He  knew  I  could  blow  out  his  brains  any 
moment  when  he  attempted,  to  lay  his  hands  upon 
me ;  and  he  knew  I  would  do  it,  too." 

"  I  never  saw  him  so  mild  and  gentle  as  he  was 
while  on  board  the  boat." 

"  I  hope  he  will  always  continue  so,  and  treat  the 
23 


26G  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

people  well  when  he  gets  back  to  Redlawn.  I  have 
nothing  against  him  now.  I  forgive  him,  and  I  did 
all  I  could  for  him  when  he  was  wounded." 

"  I  know  you  did.  Do  you  suppose  he  will  get 
well,  Dan?" 

"  I  have  no  doubt  he  will." 

"  Shall  you  send  for  your  free  papers  ?  " 

*'  I  shouldn't  dare  to  let  him  know  where  I  am." 

"  He  gave  us  our  freedom.'' 

"  I  should  be  afraid  that  he  would  alter  his  mind ; 
and  though  he  might  keep  his  word,  he  might  cause 
us  to  be  taken  up  for  killing  the  slave-hunters,  or 
stealing  the  boat  and  provisions,  or  something  of  that 
kind.  I  shall  keep  out  of  his  way.  If  we  should  be 
arrested,  I  would  appeal  to  him  then." 

"  Where  are  we  going  now,  Dan  ?  "  asked  Lily,  as 
she  glanced  out  upon  the  vast  expanse  of  waters 
which  rolled  to  the  southward. 

"  I  hardly  know,  Lily*  We  have  got  to  the  bottom 
of  my  map  ;  I  shall  stand  to  the  south-east  till  some 
thing  happens.  If  we  can  fall  in  with  a  vessel  which 
does  not  sail  from  or  to  a  southern  port,  I  should  have 
some  hopes,  especially  as  we  have  money  enough  now 
to  pay  our  passage." 


THE     YOUXG     FUGITIVES. 

"  How  much  have  you,  Dan  ?  " 

"  Two  hundred  dollars,"  replied  Dan,  exhibiting 
the  roll  of  bills  which  the  planter  had  given  him. 
"  Colonel  Raybone  is  generous,  but  this  would  not 
half  pay  us  for  the  services  we  have  rendered 
him." 

The  pocket  compass  upon  which  the  skipper  had  to 
depend  for  his  course  was  now  produced,  and  before 
dark  that  night  the  Isabel  was  out  of  sight  of  land. 
The  wind  was  light,  the  weather  pleasant,  and  the 
sea  not  heavier  than  they  had  seen  on  the  lake.  It 
was  arranged  that  each  of  the  boys  should  steer  four 
hours  in  his  turn,  night  and  day,  and  the  voyage, 
which  had  been  looked  upon  as  involving  many  perils, 
was  found  to  be  very  pleasant. 

For  two  days  they  were  favored  with  good  weather  ; 
but  on  the  third  it  came  on  cloudy  and  blowy  after 
dinner.  The  foresail  was  taken  in,  and  every  thing 
made  snug  about  the  Isabel,  in  preparation  for  the 
worst.  The  storm  increased  in  violence,  and  they 
soon  had  their  first  experience  of  a  heavy  sea.  The 
waves  tossed  them  about  like  a  feather,  dashing  over 
the  decks,  and  several  times  filling  the  standing  room 
half  full  of  water. 


268  WATCH      AND     WAIT,     OR 

"  Gossifus  !  Dis  big  sea !  "  exclaimed  Cyd,  as  he 
shook  the  water  from  his  woolly  locks. 

"  Yes,  and  it  is  coming  heavier  yet,"  replied  Dan. 
"  But  the  Isabel  stands  it  well." 

"  Plenty  ob  water  on  fora'd  dar,"  said  Cyd,  point 
ing  to  the  forecastle,  which  was  often  submerged  in 
the  heavy  billows. 

"  Perhaps  we  can  remedy  that.  I  don't  think  we 
shall  want  the  bateau  any  more,  and  we  may  as  well 
toss  it  overboard.  It  sinks  her  head  down  too  much." 

"  Hossifus  !     Frow  de  boat  overboard  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  over  with  it,  if  you  can." 

Cyd  took  a  boat-hook,  and  pried  up  the  bateau,  and 
after  much  labor  succeeded  in  getting  it  over  the  side, 
though  he  had  nearly  gone  with  it,  when  a  big  sea, 
swooping  over  the  deck,  finished  his  work.  The 
effect  of  the  step  was  instantly  apparent  in  the  work 
ing  of  the  Isabel.  She  no  longer  scooped  up  the  seas, 
but  rode  over  them.  Before  night  it  began  to  rain, 
and  the  gale  increased  in  violence.  The  bonnet  had 
been  taken  off  the  jib,  and  a  reef  put  in  the  main 
sail  ;  but  she  could  not  much  longer  carry  this  sail, 
and  at  dark  she  was  put  under  a  close-reefed  foresail. 

Poor  Lily  was  obliged  to  remain  in  the  cabin,  and 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  2G9 

she  was  very  much  alarmed  at  the  roaring  of  the 
waves  and  the  terrible  pitching  of  the  schooner ;  but 
Dan  often  assured  her  that  there  was  no  danger ;  that 
the  Isabel  was  behaving  splendidly.  During  that 
long,  tempestuous  night,  there  was  no  sleep  for  the 
fugitives.  Dan  did  not  leave  the  helm,  and  Cyd 
stood  by  to  obey  the  orders  of  the  skipper.  At  mid 
night  the  gale  began  to  moderate,  but  the  sea  still 
ran  high. 

The  sun  rose  bright  and  clear  on  the  following 
morning.  The  wind  had  subsided  to  a  gentle  breeze, 
and  the  Isabel  moved  slowly  along  over  the  rolling 
waves.  Cyd  and  Lily  went  to  sleep  after  breakfast, 
and  Dan  still  maintained  his  position  at  the  helm, 
which  he  had  not  left  for  fourteen  hours.  He  was 
nearly  exhausted ;  but  so  was  Cyd,  and  he  was  afraid 
the  latter  would  drop  asleep  if  he  left  the  boat  in 
his  care. 

While  he  sat  by  the  tiller,  dreaming  of  the  future, 
and  struggling  to  keep  awake,  he  discovered  a  sail 
far  to  the  southward  of  him.  The  sight  roused  him 
from  his  lethargy,  for  he  had  not  seen  any  thing  that 
looked  like  a  vessel  since  the  day  he  parted  with 
23* 


270  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

Colonel  Raybone.  He  was  wide  awake ;  and  laying 
his  course  so  as  to  intercept  the  vessel,  he  waited 
patiently  till  the  winds  wafted  her  within  hailing  dis 
tance. 

It  was  two  hours  before  he  could  clearly  make  her 
out,  for  the  wind  was  very  light.  She  was  a  bark, 
and  Dan  could  only  hope  that  she  was  not  bound  to 
any  port  in  the  slave  states.  He  had  a  very  good 
knowledge  of  geography,  and  after  calculating  the 
position  of  the  Isabel,  he  concluded  that  the  bark 
could  not  have  come  from  any  southern  city. 

"  Sail  ho ! "  shouted  he,  when  he  was  within  half 
a  mile  of  the  bark. 

"  What's  the  matter  ? "  called  Lily,  roused  from 
her  slumbers  by  the  shout. 

"  Come  on  deck.     We  are  close  by  a  vessel." 

"  Gossifus !  "  shouted  Cyd,  as  he  rushed  out  of  the 
cabin,  and  discovered  the  bark.  "  Wha  —  wha  — 
what  vessel's  dat  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,"  answered  Dan ;  "  but  we  shall 
soon  know  all  about  her." 

"  What  a  monster  she  is ! "  added  Lily. 

Dan  hailed  the  bark,  and  ascertained  that  she  was 
an  English  vessel,  bound  from  Vera  Cruz  tcf  New 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  271 

York.  As  this  information  was  satisfactory,  he  asked 
to  be  taken  on  board,  with  his  companions.  The 
vessel  backed  her  main  topsail,  and  Dan  ran  the 
Isabel  alongside.  The  captain  and  crew  were  aston 
ished  to  find  a  small  boat,  with  two  boys  and  a  girl 
in  her,  at  this  distance  from  land ;  but  they  were 
kindly  taken  on  board.  In  as  few  words  as  possible 
Dan  told  the  substance  of  his  story,  and  the  captain 
consented  to  carry  the  fugitives  to  New  York. 

"  I  can  pay  our  passage,  captain,"  added  he  ;  "  and 
if  you  will  take  us  you  shall  lose  nothing  by  it." 

"  I  should  be  in  duty  bound  to  take  you,  any  how," 
replied  the  captain  ;  "  but  what  shall  we  do  with 
your  boat  ? " 

"  Cut  her  adrift,  if  you  can't  do  any  better.  We 
have  done  with  her  now." 

"  I  think  we  can  save  her,"  added  the  captain. 

As  the  wind  was  light,  the  Isabel  was  lashed  to 
the  side,  and  the  bark  squared  away  upon  her  course. 
In  a  short  time  every  thing  on  board  of  the  sail-boat 
was  passed  on  board,  and  she  was  stripped  and  her 
masts  taken  out.  She  was  then  hoisted  on  deck,  and 
set  up  between  the  fore  and  main  rq,asts.  Dan  and 
hie  companions  were  rejoiced  to  preserve  her,  for  she 


272  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

had  been  their  home  for  a  year,  and  had  Lome  them 
safely  through  many  perils.  They  regarded  her  as  a 
dear  friend. 

Captain  Oxnard  gave  Lily  a  state-room,  and  the 
two  boys  were  berthed  in  the  steerage.  It  took  all 
the  rest  of  the  day  for  Dan  to  relate  the  experience 
of  the  young  fugitives  on  board  the  Isabel ;  and  the 
officers  of  the  bark  were  intensely  interested  in  the 
narrative  and  in  the  runaways.  The  listeners  were 
all  Englishmen,  and  had  no  sympathy  with  slave 
holders. 

The  passage  was  rather  long,  but  it  was  pleasant, 
and  on  the  twentieth  of  June  the  bark  anchored  in 
New  York  harbor.  Her  consignees  were  informed 
of  the  incidents  which  had  placed  the  three  pas 
sengers  on  board,  and  they  were  not  disposed  to 
undo  what  Captain  Oxnard  had  done.  While  the 
vessel  lay  at  anchor,  the  Isabel  was  hoisted  into 
the  water  again,  rigged,  and  every  thing  placed  on 
board  of  her,  just  as  she  was  when  she  left  the  camp 
in  the  swamp. 

It  so  happened  that  the  junior  member  of  the 
firm  to  which  the  bark  was  consigned,  was  a  friend 
of  Mr.  Grant,  aud  had  diued  at  WoodviUe  the  day 


THE    YOUXO    FUGITIVES.  273 

before.  It  occurred  to  him  that  the  young  fugitives 
would  be  well  cared  for  in  the  hands  of  his  friends, 
and  being  a  boatman  himself,  he  resolved  to  proceed 
up  the  river  in  the  Isabel. 

It  was  a  pleasant  day  and  a  happy  occasion,  and 
at  an  early  hour  in  the  afternoon,  the  party  landed 
at  the  pier  in  front  of  the  Woodville  mansion.  I 
need  not  inform  my  readers  that  they  were  kindly 
received  by  the  family ;  and  the  story  of  the  young 
fugitives  was  again  repeated  to  a  group  of  partial 
listeners. 


Mr.  Grant  and  his  friend  Presby  immediately 
set  their  heads  at  work  to  determine  what  should  be 
done  with  the  party  which  had  just  arrived  at  Wood 
ville.  Bertha  soon  settled  the  question  so  far  as  Lily 
was  concerned,  by  declaring  that  she  must  live  with, 
her,  and  go  to  school  at  the  village,  for  she  had 
become  strongly  attached  to  the  fair  fugitive,  and 
would  not  think  of  permitting  her  lot  to  be  cast 
among  those  who  might  possibly  be  unkind  to  her. 

There  was  less  difficulty  in  disposing  of  Dan  and 


274  WATCH     AND     WAIT,     OR 

Cyd.  Boats  and  boatmen  were  in  great  demand  at 
Whitestone  and  other  places  on  the  river,  and  the 
Isabel  promised  to  bring  in  a  fortune  to  her  owners 
during  the  summer  months.  A  few  days  later,  she 
was  employed  in  carrying  parties  out  upon  excur 
sions,  with  Dan  as  skipper,  old  Ben  as  pilot,  and  Cyd 
as  foremast  hand.  In  a  short  time  Dan  learned  the 
navigation  of  the  river,  and  dispensed  with  the  ser 
vices  of  the  pilot.  They  boarded  with  Mr.  Grant  s 
gardener  ;  but  Cyd,  very  much  to  his  disgust,  was 
not  permitted  to  sit  down  at  the  first  table  because 
he  was  black. 

Dan  and  Cyd  made  a  great  deal  of  money  in  the 
Isabel  during  the  remainder  of  the  season,  and  when 
she  was  laid  up  for  the  winter,  both  of  them  went 
down  to  the  city  and  worked  in  a  hotel ;  but  they 
much  preferred  a  life  on  the  water.  In  the  spring 
they  resumed  their  business  as  boatmen,  and  for  sev 
eral  years  continued  to  thrive  at  this  occupation. 

"  See  here,  Possifus,"  said  Mr.  Presby,  who  never 
called  Cyd  by  any  other  name ;  "  don't  you  want  to 
own  a  boat  yourself?" 

"  I  does  own  one,  sar,"  replied  he.  "  De  Isabel 
jus  as  much  mine  as  Dan's." 


THE     YOUNG     FUGITIVES.  275 

"  I  was  going  to  set  you  up  in  business  for  your 
self,  Possifus." 

"  No,  sar,  tank  ye ;  can't  leabe  Dan,  no  how ;  he 
fotched  dis  chile  out  of  de  swamp,  and  I  don't  run 
no  popposition  to  him." 

"  That's  right,  Possifus ;  stick  to  your  friends." 

But  Mr.  Presby  continued  to  do  a  great  many  kind 
deeds  for  "  Possifus,"  which  were  duly  appreciated. 

When  Dan  was  twenty-one,  he  and  Cyd  had  saved 
a  considerable  sum  of  money ;  and  the  Isabel  having 
become  rather  shaky  from  old  age,  they  proposed  to 
procure  another  boat,  and  establish  themselves  at  the 
city.  With  the  aid  of  Mr.  Presby,  they  built  a  yacht 
of  forty  tons,  which  was  called  the  "  Lily."  It  was 
a  beautiful  little  vessel,  and  soon  became  very  pop 
ular  among  people  devoted  to  the  sea.  They  were 
very  fortunate  in  this  new  enterprise,  and  made 
money  beyond  their  most  sanguine  expectations. 

Dan  lived  in  the  city  now.  The  name  on  the  door- 
plate  of  his  house  was  Daniel  Preston,  for  he  had 
chosen  a  family  name  to  suit  himself —  a  privilege 
allotted  to  only  a  few.  Mrs.  Preston  —  of  course  the 
reader  will  at  once  understand  that  this  was  the  Lily 
of  our  story  —  was  as  happy  as  liberty  and  prosperity 


276  WATCH     AND     WAIT. 

could  make  her.  Cyd  —  who  has  improved  upon  his 
former  cognomen,  and  now  calls  himself  Sidney 
Davidson  —  lives  on  board  the  Lily,  a  contented, 
happy  man.  He  almost  worships  Dan  and  his  wife, 
at  whose  house  he  is  an  occasional  visitor. 

They  never  heard  anything  from  Colonel  Raybone, 
or  any  of  his  family,  perhaps  because  they  made  no 
inquiries.  Certainly  no  efforts  were  ever  made  to 
reclaim  the  chattels.  They  had  proved  that  they 
could  take  care  of  themselves,  and  that  freedom  was 
their  true  sphere  of  life. 

And  now,  having  seen  the  young  fugitives  safely 
through  all  their  trials  and  perplexities,  and  securely 
established  in  the  enjoyment  of  those  rights  and  priv 
ileges  with  which  the  great  Creator  had  endowed 
them,  we  take  leave  of  them,  in  the  hope  that  the 
reign  of  Freedom  will  soon  be  extended  to  every 
part  of  our  beloved  country,  and  that  the  sons  of  toil 
shall  no  longer  WATCH  AND  WAIT  for  deliverance 
from  the  bonds  of  the  slave-master. 


THE  ARMY  AND  NAVY  STORIES. 

In.   Six   "Volumes. 


BY    OLIVER    OPTIC. 


i. 

THE   SOLDIER,   BOY; 

Or,  Tom.  Somers  in  the  -A.rmy. 

II. 
THE    SA.UL.OH  BOY; 

Or,  Jack;  Soiners  in  tine  Navy. 

III. 
THE   YOTHVG   I.IETJTE1VA.1VT  | 

Or,  The  Adventures  of  an  .A.rmy  Officer. 
A  SEQUEL  TO  "THE  SOLDIER  BOY." 

IV. 
THE  YJL]VKEE   MTI>I>Y; 

Or,  The  Adventures  of  a  T^aval  Officer. 
A  SEQUEL  TO  "THE  SAILOR  BOY." 

V. 
FTGHTIIVG   JOE; 

Or,  The  Fortunes  of  a  StafF  Officer. 
A  SEQUEL  TO  "THE  YOUNG  LIEUTENAWT." 

VI. 
BRAVE   OI.r>   SALT; 

Or,  Life  on  the  Quarter  Deck. 
A  SEQUEL  TO  "THE  YANKEE  MIDDY." 


'W'OOID'V'IXjIL.IE    STORIES. 


BY      OH.IVEE,      OPTIC. 
I. 

HTCH  Aivr>  HTTMBT^E; 

Or,  The  Mission  of  Bertha  G-rant. 

II. 
I1V    SCHOOL    A.IV13    OT7T; 

Or,    The    Conquest   of  Richard.   G-ran±A 

III. 
"WATCH     JL^fD     "WAIT; 

Or,  The  Young  3Tu.giti.ves. 

IV. 

WORK:  .AJVI>  T^IIV; 

Or,  Noddy  Newman  on  a  Cruise. 

V. 
HOPE    A1VI>    HAVE; 

Or,  3Tanny  G-rant  among  the  Indians. 

VI. 
HASTE    A1VX>    "WASTE; 

Or,  The  Young  3?ilot  of  Lake  Champlain. 


&; 


K  I  VERB  ALE    STORY    BOCKS, 

BY     OLIVER,     OPTIC. 

12  vols.,  in  neat  box. 
I. 


THE 

II. 


THE 

III. 


THE 

IV. 


I. 


V. 

TJ3STCLE    BEIST- 


VI. 


VII. 
I>B,OTJID    -A-lsTID 


VIII. 
C-A.E.EL.ESS    ICA.TB. 


IX. 


x. 

THE    3PICKTIC 


XI. 


XII. 
THE 


LIBRARY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BY    OLIVER    OiPTlC. 
I. 

THE  BOAT  CLUB; 

OK,  THE  BUNKERS  OF  RIPPLETOK". 
II. 

ALL  ABOAED; 

OB,    LIFE    ON    THE    LAKE. 
III. 

LITTLE  BY  LITTLE) 

OK,  THE  CRUISE  OF  THE  FLYAWAY. 
IV. 

TET  AGAIN; 

J3,  THE   TRIALS  AND  TRIUMPHS  OF  HARRY  WEST 

V. 

NOW  OE  NEVEEj 

OR,    THE    ADVENTURES    OF    BOBBY    BRIGHT. 
VI. 

POOE  AND  PEOUD; 

OR,  THE  FORTUNES  OF  KATY  REDBURN. 
Six  volumes,  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 


& 


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